Jack shouted. "What did Chi say?" he demanded when he had regained his breath.
"He said if he wanted to marry a girl, he 'd say what he wanted to--tell 'em he was fond of 'em."
"'Fond of them'--hm," repeated Jack, thoughtfully.
"What do you say?" questioned Budd, turning the tables rather suddenly on Jack.
"I don't say--never said," replied Jack, shortly.
"That's what Chi said. He said if I begun early I 'd find out how."
"You seem to be on the right road for it."
"Would you say 'fond of her'?" persisted Budd.
"Yes, I think I should," Jack replied with a peculiar smile; "but, of course, it would depend on the girl."
"Why, that's just what Chi said!"