“She said, George, that she could never, never marry me....”
“Well, damn it, man, you didn’t take that lying down, did you! And you a Major!”
“I took it lightly, George. I smiled. I distinctly remember smiling. O God!”
“I am so sorry, Hugo! I really am, you know. Honestly, old man, I’d sooner have you for a brother-in-law than any man alive—except, perhaps, a Rockefeller.”
“Money, George, isn’t everything.”
“You’re right there, old man. Your money is completely nothing, anyhow. What’s your next step? Orchids?”
“I am no good at those Dago tricks, George.”
“Shirley’s very partial to carnations, old man.”
“No, George. Not even carnations. She’d laugh at me. She’d say ‘dear Hugo’....”
“Well, old man, you might go further and hear worse. It’s purple carnations she’s especially fond of it, by the way.”