"Is it not rather whenever you will?
Poor Robin has been waiting long enough." "You are quite sure he wants me: I mean soon ?" "He'd be a dull fellow if he didn't." The General had suddenly a memory of the time when he had called Robin a dull fellow in his secret heart because he had been content to wait, endlessly to all appearances.

He put the memory away hastily as an uncomfortable one.
"To be sure, he wants you soon, Nelly, my dear," he said.

"As soon as your old father can give you up to him.

You have always been Robin's little sweetheart from the time you were a child.

He has never thought of any girl but you." He made the speech with a gulp, as though it were distasteful to him.
"I never thought there was any girl," Nelly said simply.