"EACH HOUR A PEARL, EACH PEARL TEE-DUM-TUM-DUM--What's the matter with all you folks?
Why'n't you SING?
Miss Vertrees, I bet a thousand dollars YOU sing! Why'n't--" "Mr.Sheridan," she said, turning cheerfully from the ardent Jim, "you don't know what you interrupted! Your son isn't used to my rough ways, and my soldier's wooing frightens him, but I think he was about to say something important." "I'll say something important to him if he doesn't!" the father threatened, more delighted with her than ever.

"By gosh! if I was his age--or a widower right NOW--" "Oh, wait!" cried Mary.

"If they'd only make less noise! I want Mrs.
Sheridan to hear." "She'd say the same," he shouted.

"She'd tell me I was mighty slow if I couldn't get ahead o' Jim.

Why, when I was his age--" "You must listen to your father," Mary interrupted, turning to Jim, who had grown red again.