"The only thing to be done," said he, "is to cut him out
between this and then. Why, he stands five feet nothing."
"That's the advantage he has over me," suggested Walter; "she is five
feet eight or thereabouts, so he is just the height of her heart."
The Colonel burst out laughing. "You are no fool," said he; "that's the
second good thing you have said these three years. I forget what the
other was, but I remember it startled me at the time. You are a wit, and
you will cut out that manikin or you are no son of mine."
"Don't say that, father," said Walter; "and cutting out, why, that's a
naval operation, not military. I am not the son of an admiral."
"No equivocation, sir; the forces assist one another at a pinch."
"How can I cut him out?--there's no room, he is tied to her apron
strings."
"Untie him, then."
At this moment, whether because Hope attracted everybody in the course of
the day, or because talking about people draws them to the place by some
subtle agency, who should appear in sight but Miss Julia Clifford, and
little Fitzroy wooing her so closely that really he did seem tied to her
apron strings.
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