"For once in your life, Lovelace, be serious."
"Even that I will not deny you. Proceed."
"We have been pals since boyhood. As little lads we blacked each other's eyes."
"We did," admitted Sir Percival, laughing gently, "and bled each other's noses, too."
"We licked the same stick of candy."
"Gad, yes. My favorite was peppermint. I remember it as well as though it were but yesterday."
"We grew up to manhood together," continued Brooking, half sadly. "A pretty couple of rakes we were, too."
"We are still, dear lad," corrected Sir Percival. "Two very pretty little libertines, upon my honor."
"In London, where we were well known as an unworthy couple, I have no fault to find with you."
"No?" said the baronet in surprise. "To tell the truth, that statement causes me some little astonishment."