"That so? What's up?"
"What's up, indeed, sir? This man says that Guinea Jucklin will not marry you."
"Yes, so he told me. Now I almost know that I put that thing right up here."
"'Zounds, man, will you listen to me!"
"Yes, sir, go ahead. He says she won't marry me. That's his opinion, undemonstrated—a mere assertion; he has given me no proof."
"Ah, have you any proof, Mr. Hawes?" the old man asked.
"I have, but it cannot very well be set forth in words; and with much respect for you, General, I must say that I prefer not to illustrate it."
"You see it's rather vague, father. Let me ask if she has said positively that she will be your wife?"
"Her lips may have made no promise beyond a figure of speech, and yet her heart——"
"Ah, more vague than ever," the young man broke in, looking at his father as if he were impatient to get away. "I must have left it somewhere else," he added, and the old General frowned upon him.