God forbid that I should laugh at you, and I meant it when I said that there was the makings of a fine man in you.

Laugh at you! It's little you know me.

Listen now, till I tell you something; but don't you be repeating it.

This must be between you and me, and go no further.

I was very much of your way of thinking myself once.' Hyacinth gazed at him in astonishment.