However, they remained where they were.
"Harry," quoth Jack, "do you think I spoke in earnest just
now about Nell?"
"No, that I don't, Jack."
"Well, but now I will!"
"You? speak in earnest?"
"My good fellow, I can tell you I am quite capable of giving a friend
a bit of advice."
"Let's hear, then, Jack!"
"Well, look here! You love Nell as heartily as she deserves.
Old Simon, your father, and old Madge, your mother, both love her
as if she were their daughter. Why don't you make her so in reality?
Why don't you marry her?"
"Come, Jack," said Harry, "you are running on as if you knew how Nell
felt on the subject."
"Everybody knows that," replied Jack, "and therefore it is
impossible to make you jealous of any of us. But here goes
the ladder again--I'm off!"
"Stop a minute, Jack!" cried Harry, detaining his companion,
who was stepping onto the moving staircase.
"I say! you seem to mean me to take up my quarters here altogether!"
"Do be serious and listen, Jack! I want to speak in earnest myself now."
"Well, I'll listen till the ladder moves again, not a minute longer."
"Jack," resumed Harry, "I need not pretend that I do not love Nell; I wish
above all things to make her my wife."
"That's all right!"
"But for the present I have scruples of conscience as to asking
her to make me a promise which would be irrevocable.
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