It was not--not suitable.

It did not enable my friend to reach a decision, after all; it was merely something in regard to whist." Gifford hid his face in the grass for a moment, and then he said again, "I--I beg your pardon, Mr.Denner; it struck me as an unusual way of settling a love affair.

Your friend must have been much disappointed ?" "He was, he was, sir," answered Mr.Denner, not knowing whether to be angry or injured, and picking up his reel and rod with trembling hands.
"Well, now," Gifford said, sitting up and leaning his arms upon his knees, the laughter still glimmering in his gray eyes, "I could give you a proverb,--unless they are twins ?" Mr.Denner sat down again on the stone bench, and looked at him eagerly.
"No, Gifford, they are not twins,--no.

There is a good ten years between them." "Then," said the young man, "what does your friend want better than 'Age before beauty'?
Let him propose to the elder." Mr.Denner laid his rod down upon the grass, and, rising, extended his hand to his companion.
"Gifford," he said, "you are an intelligent young man,--a remarkable young man, sir.

I knew it when I determined to ask your advice--for my friend.