It all originated, I verily believe, sir, in the moved imagination of the Pensive Public:
"Res est soliciti plena timoris Amor."
NORTH.
Buller, I see little, if any—no change whatever—on you, since the days of Deeside—nor on you, Seward. Yes, I do. Not now, when by yourselves; but when your boys are in Tent, ah! then I do indeed—a pleasant, a happy, a blessed change! Bright boys they are—delightful lads—noble youths—and so are my Two—emphasis on my—
SEWARD AND BULLER.
Yes, all emphasis, and may the Four be friends for life.
NORTH.
In presence of us old folks, composed and respectful—in manly modesty attentive to every word we say—at times no doubt wearisome enough! Yet each ready, at a look or pause, to join in when we are at our gravest—and the solemn may be getting dull—enlivening the sleepy flow of our conversation as with rivulets issuing from pure sources in the hills of the morning—
SEWARD.
Ay—ay; heaven bless them all!