There's such a thing as too much patience, I've noticed." "I dare say," replied her husband, cheerfully.
"If Advena were any daughter of mine she'd have less patience with him." "She's not much like you," assented the father.
"I must say I like a girl to have a little spirit if a man has none.

And before I'd have him coming to the house week after week the way he has, I'd see him far enough." "He might as well come there as anywhere," Mr Murchison replied, ambiguously.

"I suppose he has now and then time on his hands ?" "Well, he won't have it on his hands much longer." "He won't, eh ?" "No, he won't," Mrs Murchison almost shook the arm she was attached to.
"John, I think you might show a little interest! The man's going to be married." "You don't say that ?" John Murchison's tone expressed not only astonishment but concern.

Mrs Murchison was almost mollified.
"But I do say it.

His future wife is coming here to Elgin next month, she and her aunt, or her grandmother, or somebody, and they're to stay at Dr Drummond's and be married as soon as possible." "Nonsense," said Mr Murchison, which was his way of expressing simple astonishment.
"There's no nonsense about it.