For some time he wrote assiduously, but work was dry after the subject they had been discussing.

He looked over at his partner and, seeing that that gentleman was gravely busy, reopened the matter with a jeer.
"Old maids always know most about rearing children," he remarked; "so I suppose old bachelors, looking down on life from the top shelf, think they know most about marriage." "I wash my hands of you," repeated the senior, placidly.

"I am not to be taunted into rendering first aid to the wounded." The conscience-stricken junior lost his presence of mind.

"Who's trying to taunt you ?" he demanded, hotly.

"Why, you'd do more harm than good." "Put a bandage round the head instead of the heart, I expect," assented the chuckling Swann.