"All together—chorus," cried Aschael jubilantly:
"'Why—don't—you marry the girl?
D'you want—the poor thing—to die?
You can see—she's gone—upon—you
By the twin—kle in—her eye!
Do—the trick—for se—ven-and-six,
Take—the tip—of a pal—
I've—been—watching your game—
Why don't you marry the gal?'"
Then I felt that last desperate hope of mine slipping away—Aschael was beginning to forget the words, and to make out with gestures and grimaces, leaving gaps through which there started up thin and tinkling and facetious horrors.... I saw that Kato had realised; I had once come upon him and Archie drinking whisky and soda together; his eyes met mine curiously, and I fancied his lips shaped the name: