"It was a capital thing for you, youngster, and paved the way for you with Polly; who, by the way, is not such a respectful niece as she might be.

But she is a very nice little girl.
I had thought of making up in that quarter myself, but I see it's no use now." "None at all," Ralph said seriously.

"We are not actually engaged, you, know, but I think we understand each other." "What!" Captain O'Connor exclaimed in a changed voice.

"You are not such a young ass as to get engaged before you have joined three months ?" Ralph burst into a laugh.

"That's good," he said.