“Verb neuter, not to care. Indicative mood, present tense. First person singular, I do not care; second person singular, thou dost not care; third person singular, she does not care,” returned Tom.

“Good! Very quaint!” said his friend. “Though you don’t mean it.”

“But I do mean it,” cried Tom. “Upon my honour! Why, you won’t tell me, Mr. Harthouse, that you really suppose my sister Loo does care for old Bounderby.”

“My dear fellow,” returned the other, “what am I bound to suppose, when I find two married people living in harmony and happiness?”