Surely you could talk her over ?" "I hope I am not eloquent in private life," said John, laughing.

"But if you want to know how it appears to me-- ?" Peter nodded gravely, pipe in mouth.
"Let us see.

To start with," said John, thoughtfully, "you went off, a boy from Eton, to serve your country when you thought, and rightly, that your country had need of you.

You distinguished yourself in South Africa--" "Surely you needn't go into all that ?" said Peter, staring.
"Excuse me," said John, smiling.

"In putting your case, I can't bear to leave out vital details.