How many times have you and I kept up each other's pecker over a three of gin! You don't look well; you've wanted old Cheeseman to cheer you up.

Things bad?
Why, damn it, of course things are bad; when were they anything else with you and me, eh?
Your wife, how is she?
Remember me to her, will you?
She never took to me, but never mind that.

And the little girl?
How's the little girl?
Alive and well, please God ?' 'Rather more than a little girl now,' returned Hood.

'And doing well, I'm glad to say.

She's a governess; has an excellent place in London.' 'You don't say so?
I never was so glad to hear anything in my life! Ah, but Hood, you're leaving me behind, old friend; with the little girl doing so well you can't call yourself a poor devil; you can't, upon my soul! I ought to have married; yes, I should ha' married long ago; it 'ud a' been the making of me.