"Never better," replied Moore, jovially. "Can I do anything for you, Terry, my boy?"
"Have you forgotten our engagement?"
"Faith, I had that, Terence."
Then, turning to Bessie, Moore continued:
"You see, alanna, how you drive everything but yourself out of my head?"
"That is as it may be," remarked Bessie, sagely, taking her hat from the nail in the wall supporting it. "I must be going. There is my arithmetic, Tom. You can carry it for me."
Moore took the book she held out to him.
"I 'll not be long," he said, as though in excuse. "I promised to have a bit of a confab with Terry. When that is over with, I 'll join you at your house."
Bessie nodded pleasantly and walked over to the door.
"Well," she said, looking out as she opened it, "I shan't lack for an escort. There is Sir Percival now."