A moment later Peter was shaking hands with Watts.
“This is nice of you. Quite like old times. Will you smoke?”
“No. But please yourself. I’ve something to talk about.”
“Fire away.”
“Watts, I want to try and win the love of your little girl.”
“Dear old man,” cried Watts, “there isn’t any one in God’s earth whom I would rather see her choose, or to whom I would sooner trust her.”
“Thank you, Watts,” said Peter, gratefully. “Watts is weak, but he is a good fellow,” was his mental remark. Peter entirely forgot his opinion of two weeks ago. It is marvellous what a change a different point of view makes in most people.
“But if I give you my little Dot, you must promise me one thing.”
“What is that?”
“That you will never tell her? Ah! Peter, if you knew how I love the little woman, and how she loves me. From no other man can she learn what will alter that love. Don’t make my consent bring us both suffering?”