“Don’t talk to me,” said the other, “I can’t bear it.”
Mr. Boom, respecting his friend’s trouble, relapsed into silence again, and for a long time not a word was spoken.
“My ’ed’s in a whirl,” said Mr. Raggett at length.
“It ’ud be a wonder if it wasn’t,” said Mr. Boom sympathetically.
“To think,” continued the other miserably, “how I’ve been let in for this. The plots an’ the plans and the artfulness what’s been goin’ on round me, an’ I’ve never seen it.”
“What d’ye mean?” demanded Mr. Boom, with sudden violence.
“I know what I mean,” said Mr. Raggett darkly.
“P’r’aps you’ll tell me, then,” said the other.
“Who thought of it first?” demanded Mr. Raggett ferociously. “Who came to me and asked me to court his slip of a girl?”
“Don’t you be a’ old fool,” said Mr. Boom heatedly. “It’s done now, and what’s done can’t be undone. I never thought to have a son-in-law seven or eight years older than what I am, and what’s more, I don’t want it.”