I'm most confoundedly and consummately serious.

I really want you to let me off on this Europe business.

Won't you--there's a dear ?" "No!" "No ?" "Why, your passage is paid for, and my plans--You know Ethel Quintard and her mother are sailing on the same boat.

No, most certainly I shall not let you off!" "Well, if that's the way you feel about it," he sighed again, "perhaps we'd better drop this matter also--temporarily." "This matter we'll also drop permanently," his mother said, again with her calm, incontrovertible emphasis.
"Well, that brings us to the third point." He drew a copy of the "Record" from his pocket and pointed to a paragraph.

"Mother, this is the second time my engagement to Ethel Quintard has been in print.