What I am saying, is what I said when you first overpowered me with surprise--you remember how surprised I was ?--by proposing for Annie.

Not that there was anything so very much out of the way, in the mere fact of the proposal--it would be ridiculous to say that!--but because, you having known her poor father, and having known her from a baby six months old, I hadn't thought of you in such a light at all, or indeed as a marrying man in any way,--simply that, you know.' 'Aye, aye,' returned the Doctor, good-humouredly.

'Never mind.' 'But I DO mind,' said the Old Soldier, laying her fan upon his lips.

'I mind very much.

I recall these things that I may be contradicted if I am wrong.