“I’ve served over three in India since I met you at the well, and that counts double. Why so particular to a day? It’s a bit Jewish. Anyhow, that seven years was rough on Rachel.” “How, Hume? Because she got passee?” “Well, that counted; but do you suppose that Jew was going to put in those seven years without interest? Don’t you believe it. Rachel paid capital and interest back, or Jacob was no Jew. Tell me, Marion, when shall it be?” “Hume, for a man who has trifled away years in India, you are strangely impatient.” “Mrs. Lambert says that I have the sweetest disposition.” “My dear sir!” “Don’t look at me like that at this distance, or I shall have to wear goggles, as the man did who went courting the Sun.” “How supremely ridiculous you are! And I thought you such a sensible, serious man.” “Mrs. Lambert put that in your head. We used to meet at the annual dinners of the Bible Society.” “Why do you tell me such stuff?” “It’s a fact. Her father and my aunt were in that swim, and we were sympathisers.” “Mercenary people!” “It worked very well in her case; not so well in mine. But we conceived a profound respect for each other then. But tell me, Marion, when is it to be? Why put off the inevitable?” “It isn’t inevitable--and I’m only twenty-three.” “Only twenty-three, And as good fish in the sea” he responded, laughing. “Yes, but you’ve set the precedent for a courtship of four years and a bit, and what man could face it?” “You did.” “Yes, but I wasn’t advertised of the fact beforehand. Suppose I had seen the notice at the start: ‘This mortgage cannot be raised inside of four years--and a bit!’ There’s a limit to human endurance.” “Why shouldn’t I hold to the number, but alter the years to days?” “You wouldn’t dare. A woman must live up to her reputation.” “Indeed? What an ambition!” “And a man to his manners.” “An unknown quantity.” “And a lover to his promises.” “A book of jokes.” Marion had developed a taste for satire. “Which reminds me of Lady Halwood and Mrs. Lambert. Lady Halwood was more impertinent than usual the other day at the Sinclairs’ show, and had a little fling at Mrs. Lambert. The talk turned on gowns. Lady Halwood was much interested at once. She has a weakness that way. ‘Why,’ said she, ‘I like these fashions this year, but I’m not sure that they suit me. They’re the same as when the Queen came to the throne.’ ‘Well,’ said Mrs. Lambert sweetly, ‘if they suited you then--’ There was an audible titter, and Mrs. Lambert had an enemy for life.” “I don’t see the point of your story in this connection.” “No? Well, it was merely to suggest that if you had to live up to this scheme of four-years’ probation, other people besides lovers would make up books of jokes, and--” “That’s like a man--to threaten.” “Yes, I threaten--on my knees.” “Hume, how long do you think Frank will have to wait?”