The pirate-colonel replied in a courageous voice, 'By rapine!' But
his bride retorted, 'Suppose the grown-up people wouldn't be
rapined?' 'Then,' said the colonel, 'they should pay the penalty
in blood.' - 'But suppose they should object,' retorted his bride,
'and wouldn't pay the penalty in blood or anything else?'

A mournful silence ensued.

'Then do you no longer love me, Alice?' asked the colonel.

'Redforth! I am ever thine,' returned his bride.

'Then do you no longer love me, Nettie?' asked the present writer.

'Tinkling! I am ever thine,' returned my bride.

We all four embraced. Let me not be misunderstood by the giddy.
The colonel embraced his own bride, and I embraced mine. But two
times two make four.

'Nettie and I,' said Alice mournfully, 'have been considering our
position. The grown-up people are too strong for us. They make us
ridiculous. Besides, they have changed the times. William
Tinkling's baby brother was christened yesterday. What took place?
Was any king present? Answer, William.'

I said No, unless disguised as Great-uncle Chopper.

'Any queen?'