The very idea of marrying a girl whose father was killed, like meat! Good God, Ned, how disagreeable! Consider the impossibility of having any respect for your father-in-law under such unpleasant circumstances--think of his having been "viewed" by jurors, and "sat upon" by coroners, and of his very doubtful position in the family ever afterwards.

It seems to me such an indelicate sort of thing that I really think the girl ought to have been put to death by the state to prevent its happening.

But I tease you perhaps.

You would rather be alone?
My dear Ned, most willingly.

God bless you.