"I mean a faithful promise. You have a rather trying habit of slipping things out. This must be an on-my-oath promise."
"On-my-oath, world-without-end promise," repeated Dimbie.
"Dr. Renton wishes to marry Jane Fairbrother."
"The deuce he does!"
"Yes," I said, enjoying his astonishment.
"But he doesn't know her."
"He has known her for years. He knew her when she lived with us, but she went to India before he could make up his mind to speak to her. Now he is coming on Thursday."
"And he will take her away just when she is going to be useful to us, selfish beast!"
I smiled behind my hand.
"Dear Dimbie," I said, "I always thought men the most contrary creatures, having lived under Peter's roof for some years, but never quite so contrary as I now find them to be."