He dined in town, came home at a late hour, and merely grinned when a servant told him that Mr.Bulmer had called twice but Miss Iris happened to be out on both occasions.
Nevertheless, at breakfast on Tuesday, he warned his niece not to keep her admirer dangling at arm's length.
"E's a queer owd codger," explained the philosopher.

"Play up to 'im a bit, an' you'll be able to twist 'im round your little finger.

I b'lieve he's goin' dotty, an' you can trust me to see that the marriage settlement is O.K." "Will you be home to dinner ?" was her response.
"No.

Now that the firm is in smooth water again I must show myself a bit.

It's all thanks to you, lass, an' I'll not forget it.