"Hot? Yes, it IS hot. I'm sure one might as well be in an oven as
in town this weather. You seem to forget it's July, Mr. Caudle.
I've been waiting quietly--have never spoken; yet, not a word have
you said of the seaside yet. Not that I care for it myself--oh, no;
my health isn't of the slightest consequence. And, indeed, I was
going to say--but I won't--that the sooner, perhaps, I'm out of this
world, the better. Oh, yes; I dare say you think so--of course you
do, else you wouldn't lie there saying nothing. You're enough to
aggravate a saint, Caudle; but you shan't vex me. No; I've made up
my mind, and never intend to let you vex me again. Why should I
worry myself?

"But all I want to ask you is this: do you intend to go to the sea-
side this summer?

"YES? YOU'LL GO TO GRAVESEND?

"Then you'll go alone, that's all I know. Gravesend! You might as
well empty a salt-cellar in the New River, and call that the sea-
side. What?

"IT'S HANDY FOR BUSINESS?

"There you are again! I can never speak of taking a little
enjoyment, but you fling business in my teeth. I'm sure you never
let business stand in the way of your own pleasure, Mr. Caudle--not
you. It would be all the better for your family if you did.