'I said Irish policy, and repeat the words. Whatever line of political
action tends to bring legislation into more perfect harmony with the
instincts and impulses of a very peculiar people, it is no presumption to
call a policy.'

'With all my heart. Do you mean to deal with that old Liverpool rascal for
the furniture?'

'His offer is almost an insult.'

'Well, you'll be gratified to know he retracts it. He says now he'll only
give L35! And as for the screws, Bobbidge, of the Carbineers, will take
them both for L50.'

'Why, Lightfoot alone is worth the money!'

'Minus the sand-crack.'

'I deny the sand-crack. She was pricked in the shoeing.'

'Of course! I never knew a broken knee that wasn't got by striking the
manger, nor a sand-crack that didn't come of an awkward smith.'

'What a blessing it would be if all the bad reputations in society could be
palliated as pleasantly.'

'Shall I tell Bobbidge you take his offer? He wants an answer at once.'

'My dear major, don't you know that the fellow who says that, simply means
to say: "Don't be too sure that I shall not change my mind." Look out that
you take the ball at the hop!'

'Lucky if it hops at all.'

'Is that your experience of life?' said Walpole inquiringly.

'It is one of them. Will you take L50 for the screws?'

'Yes; and as much more for the break and the dog-cart. I want every rap I
can scrape together, Harry. I'm going out to Guatemala.'

'I heard that.'

'Infernal place; at least, I believe, in climate--reptiles, fevers,
assassination--it stands without a rival.'

'So they tell me.'

'It was the only thing vacant; and they rather affected a difficulty about
giving it.'

'So they do when they send a man to the Gold Coast; and they tell the
newspapers to say what a lucky dog he is.'

'I can stand all that. What really kills me is giving a man the C.B. when
he is just booked for some home of yellow fever.'

'They do that too,' gravely observed the other, who was beginning to feel
the pace of the conversation rather too fast for him. 'Don't you smoke?'

'I'm rather reducing myself to half batta in tobacco. I've thoughts of
marrying.'

'Don't do that.'

'Why? It's not wrong.'

'No, perhaps not; but it's stupid.'

'Come now, old fellow, life out there in the tropics is not so jolly all
alone! Alligators are interesting creatures, and cheetahs are pretty pets;
but a man wants a little companionship of a more tender kind; and a nice