Culch. Take my advice, and don't press me, my dear fellow; you may regret it if you do!
Podb. I'll risk it. It must be a devilish funny joke to tickle you like that. Come, out with it!
Culch. Well, if you must know, I was laughing.... Oh, he'll never get those horses round in.... I was—er—rather amused by your evident assumption that I must have been rejected by Miss PRENDERGAST.
Podb. Oh, was that it? And you're nothing of the kind, eh? [He chuckles again.
Culch. (with dignity). No doubt you will find it very singular; but, as a matter of fact, she—well, she most certainly did not discourage my pretensions.
Podb. The deuce she didn't! Did she tell you RUSKIN's ideas about courtship being a probation, and ask you if you were ready to be under vow for her, by any chance?
Culch. This is too bad, PODBURY; you must have been there, or you couldn't possibly know!
Podb. Much obliged, I'm sure. I don't listen behind doors, as a general thing. I suppose, now, she set you a trial of some kind, to prove your mettle, eh? [With another chuckle.
Culch. (furiously). Take care—or I may tell you more than you bargain for!
Podb. Go on—never mind me. Bless you, I'm under vow for her, too, my dear boy. Fact!