"Look here, old fellow," said Jimmy, "you and I have known each other a
good many years. You remember when we used to fight like billy-oh at
Brighton."
"I dare say you feel rather as if you would like to punch my head now,"
returned Mark.
"H'm, well--I tell you frankly," said Jimmy. "This jaw we're having
may influence my whole life."
"It has already influenced mine," cried Mark.
"How's that?" demanded Jimmy.
"I have been hoping to marry Carrissima--to put it plainly. You've
shown what she thinks of me."
"Surely," said Jimmy, "she had more than a little excuse!"
"My dear chap," replied Mark, "you're not such a prig that you can't
understand the possibility of a man's losing his head about a pretty
woman."
"Why, no," said Jimmy; "but I wish to goodness you had not chosen that
particular one."
"If I had imagined Carrissima saw us, I should have explained things at
once," added Mark.
"The question is," suggested Jimmy, "whether your explanation would
have sounded quite convincing."
"Good Lord!" said Mark, "you speak as if you were not convinced!"
"Of one thing--yes," was the answer.
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