"So you won't tell me how old you are, will you?" she resumed
"What do you want to know it for? Are you in the life-insurance business?"
Another pause
"Look at that girl over there," she said, trying to make conversation.
"She's showing off her slender figure. She thinks she looks awful
American."
"You do have a sharp tongue."
"But you remember what Mrs. Kalch said: 'A sharp tongue, but a kind heart.'"
The band struck up a two-step
Ben was coming over to her, his freckled face the image of supplication. She shut her eyes and shook her head and the boy stopped short, his jaw dropping as he did so
"Don't be hard on the poor boy," I pleaded