"Just so, Mr. Bideawhile. But then Mr. Longestaffe had already told you that his son would not sign the letter."
"How is one to know when and how and why a young man like that will change his purpose?"
"Just so, Mr. Bideawhile. But you see after such a declaration as that on the part of my client's father, the letter,--which is in itself a little irregular perhaps--"
"I don't know that it's irregular at all."
"Well;--it didn't reach you in a very confirmatory manner. We'll just say that. What Mr. Longestaffe can have been at to wish to give up his title-deeds without getting anything for them--"
"Excuse me, Mr. Squercum, but that's between Mr. Longestaffe and us."

"Just so, Mr. Bideawhile. But Mr. Longestaffe had already told you that his son would not sign the letter. And after such a declaration as that, the letter - which is in itself a little irregular-"
"I don't know that it's irregular at all."
"Well, it didn't reach you direct from Mr. Longstaffe. And why he would wish to give up his title-deeds without getting anything for them-"
"Excuse me, Mr. Squercum, but that's between Mr. Longestaffe and us."
