I don't know much about women, it is true, but I know more than you do." "I wish I knew as much as you do," said Sam.
"And I wish I knew as little as you do," said Halbert.
Dinner-time came, but the Captain and the Doctor were not to the fore.
After some speculations as to what had become of them, and having waited an hour, Jim said, that in the unexplained absence of the crowned head, he felt it his duty to the country, to assume the reins of government, and order dinner.

Prime Minister Alice, having entered a protest, offered no further opposition, and dinner was brought in.
Young folks don't make so much of dinner as old ones at any time, and this dinner was an unusually dull one.

Sam was silent and thoughtful, and talked little; Alice, too, was not quite herself.

Jim, as usual, ate like a hero, but talked little; so the conversation was principally carried on by Halbert, in the narrative style, who really made himself very useful and agreeable, and I am afraid they would have been a very "slow" party without him.
Soon after the serious business of eating was over, Jim said,-- "Alice, I wonder what the Governor will say ?" "About what, brother ?" "About my going soldiering." "Save us! What new crotchet is this ?" "Only that I'm going to bother the Governor, till he gets me a commission in the army." "Are you really serious, Jim ?" "I never was more so in my life." "So, Mr.Halbert," said Alice, looking round at him, "you are only come to take my brother away from me!" "I assure you, Miss Brentwood, that I have only aided and abetted: the idea was his own." "Well, well, I see how it is;--we were too happy I suppose." "But, Alice," said Jim, "won't you be proud to see your brother a good soldier ?" "Proud! I was always proud of you.

But I wish the idea had never come into your head.