We all know
you're terrible took with 'er. It's nothink to be ashamed of. Wot I'm
going to say is this. She's a puffect child yet and you are still a
schoolboy. Are you going to be man enough when you gets older and more
mature-like to stick by this 'ere puppy love that means so much to 'er
now? Are you going to love 'er allus, just as I dessay you'll find she
will do by you?"
"But--but Joey," stammered David in confusion--"she doesn't care for
me in that way."
Joey closed one eye and puffed thrice at his pipe.
"Jacky, it's not to your credit as a gentleman to be so blooming
stupid."
"She's so very young," murmured David.
"Well, love grows up, my lad, just the same as folks does," said the
old clown wisely.
"If--if I thought she'd love me when she's old enough to--" began
David, his eyes gleaming.
He stopped there, confused and awkward.
Joey eyed him. "You mean by that, that you'd go so far as to marry
'er?"
David flushed. Then his eyes flashed with resentment: "See here,
Joey, that's not the way to speak of her. She's a lady. She's not a--"
He checked himself suddenly.
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