“I think it was a very proper proceeding; I am so old-fashioned as to consider a father the best judge of his daughter’s welfare. And I think that in this case I am certainly the first person to be consulted. Wroxham is a young man of the very highest principles, and he naturally chose the correct course.”
“And you fell upon him and said: ‘What ho!’ ” cried Lord Spratte.
The Canon gave him a cold stare of surprise and of injured dignity.
“I informed him that I had no objection to him as a son-in-law, and I made the usual inquiries into his circumstances.”
“What bloomin’ cheek, when every one knows he has twenty thousand a year!”
“And finally I imparted to him my conviction that Winnie looked upon him with sincere regard.”
“You are a downy old bird, Theodore,” said Lord Spratte, laughing. “There’s many a London matron has set her net to catch that fish.”
“I did not expect that you would treat the matter with decorum, Thomas, and it was only from a strong sense of duty towards you as the head of my house, that I requested your presence.”
But his elder brother was completely unabashed.
“Shut it, Theodore. You know very well that Wroxham can just about wipe his boots with the likes of us.”