"I'm not the fellow to be studying three months in what attitude I'll fall at a girl's feet." "No: and when you are there you mustn't take three months more to study how you'll get up again.

If you do it at all, you must do it sharp," repeated John, putting great stress on his advice.
"I have said a few soft words to her already, and she didn't seem to take them badly," said George.
"She's no chicken, you know," remarked John; "and with a woman like that, beating about the bush never does any good.

The chances are she won't have you--that's of course; plums like that don't fall into a man's mouth merely for shaking the tree.

But it's possible she may; and if she will, she's as likely to take you to-day as this day six months.

If I were you I'd write her a letter." "Write her a letter--eh ?" said George, who did not altogether dislike the advice, for it seemed to take from his shoulders the burden of preparing a spoken address.