So of course the thing to do was to ask your intentions," said the Terror firmly.
"Of course--of course," said Sir James.
He looked at the Terror; and in spite of his anger his eyes twinkled.
Then he added gravely: "My intentions are not only extremely serious but they're extremely immediate.

I'd marry your mother to-morrow if she'd let me." "That's all right," said the Terror with a faint sigh of relief.

"Of course I knew you were all right.

Only, it was the thing to do, with these silly old idiots talking." "Quite so--quite so," said Sir James.
There was a pause; and Sir James looked again at the Terror tranquilly drinking his coffee, in a somewhat appealing fashion, for he had been suffering badly from all the doubts and fears of the lover; and the Terror's serenity was soothing.
Then with a sudden craving for comfort and reassurance, he said: "Do you think your mother would marry me ?" "I haven't the slightest idea; women are so funny," said the Terror with a sage air.
Sir James pulled at his mustache.

Then the compulsion to have some one's opinion of his chances, even if it was only a small boy's, came on him strongly; and he said: "I wish I knew what to do.