What next ? His imagination would compass the possibility of just such another Baby , perhaps . The man was mad . `` I say ! A word with you , '' murmured Tackleton , nudging the Carrier with his elbow , and taking him a little apart . `` You 'll come to the wedding ? We 're in the same boat , you know . '' `` How in the same boat ? '' inquired the Carrier . `` A little disparity , you know , '' said Tackleton with another nudge . `` Come and spend an evening with us beforehand . '' `` Why ? '' demanded John , astonished at this pressing hospitality . `` Why ? '' returned the other . `` That 's a new way of receiving an invitation . Why , for pleasure -- sociability , you know , and all that . '' `` I thought you were never sociable , '' said John in his plain way . `` Tchah ! It 's of no use to be anything but free with you , I see , '' said Tackleton .
`` Why , then , the truth is , you have a -- what tea-drinking people call a sort XXXXX a comfortable appearance together , you and your wife .
John Tackleton Tchah at evening for in of to with