Austin de Vere sighed.
"Ah, they were happy days, when my nose peeled on the water and my hands were blistered by rowing."
"Do you remember the bulldog?" asked Goby.
"Ah, and the terrier he bit!"
"And the howling retriever?"
"And the bald, bronchitic Borzois," said De Vere, with enthusiasm. "I bought them all of Bob because she loved him."
"I didn't like you then, Austin, old chap," said Goby.
Austin gripped his arm.
"Plantagenet, we will be friends always. Now I can confess that I loathed you. I told Bradstock so. I said you were an ass."
"So I am," said poor Goby. "I admit now I can't understand Browning."