"A lady? I say, Mr. Gibb! warnings out all along that coast; if at this period of your existence you get yourself mixed up with a lady, especially one who is on the look out for means of earning a living, your whole career may be blighted. She may look upon you as her living, and then where are you?"
"No fear of that, sir; this is a lady born and bred; she's as high as the heavens above me."
"Is she? Then she's tallish. Old?"
"No, sir; in her early prime."
"Meaning?"
"I couldn't say exactly, sir; I should say somewhere about twenty. You could tell better than me.
"What on earth do you mean?"
"If you saw her."
"If I saw her! Look here, Mr. Gibb, have you got anything at the back of your head?" Mr. Gibb sighed. "Is she hideous?"
"No, sir; she's the most beautiful young lady ever I set eyes on; and I've seen a few."