"I had not the slightest idea that this--big gentleman," here the son smiled faintly, "was your intimate relation." "Oh! pray don't, Mr.Quatermain.Why should you not speak of what will be in all the papers.

Yes, father, I have bought a very fine specimen, the finest known, or at least Woodden has on my behalf, while I was hunting for you, which comes to the same thing." "Indeed, Stephen, and what did you pay for this flower?
I have heard a figure, but think that there must be some mistake." "I don't know what you heard, father, but it seems to have been knocked down to me at L2,300.

It's a lot more than I can find, indeed, and I was going to ask you to lend me the money for the sake of the family credit, if not for my own.

But we can talk about that afterwards." "Yes, Stephen, we can talk of that afterwards.

In fact, as there is no time like the present, we will talk of it now.