Like most indifferent or indulgent parents, Bassett was prone to excesses in his fitful experiments in discipline.

Dan had resolved not to meddle again; but Marian was undeniably a provoking young person.

It had been suggested to him of late by one or two of his intimates that in due course of events he would of course marry his employer's daughter.

As she faced him across the table, the pink light of the candle-shade adding to the glow of health in her pretty cheeks, she caused him to start by the abruptness with which she said:-- "I don't see much ahead of me but to get married; do you ?" "If you put it up to me, I don't see anything ahead of you, unless you take a different view of life; you never seem to have a serious thought." "Mr.Harwood, you can be immensely unpleasant when you choose to be.

You talk to me as though I were only nine years old.