"Not exactly. I don't know that I ever had anything to do with parties that were engaged; but I don't believe the lady screams, or utters exclamations, if you please, and then rushes into the cabin to get out of the way of the gentleman to whom she is engaged. As I said, I don't understand these things; but I don't believe that's the way they are done."
"You are a blockhead, Phil."
"I know it. My head is so hard you can't get any of that sort of nonsense into it."
"I see that you are disposed to quarrel with me."
"Not at all, Mr. Waterford," I protested. "If you consider this cruise a failure, I am willing to go on board of the yacht and return to Chicago."
"Do you know who owns that yacht?" said he, sternly.
"Of course I do. I wish I did, but I don't."
"I judged from your talk that you thought she belonged to you."
"That happiness is not mine. I wish it was. But her gentlemanly owner was kind enough to invite me to sail with him; and I don't intend to deprive him of the pleasure of my company until we return to Chicago. I think it would be mean to do so."
"I wish to remind you that I claim the right to choose my own company."