“Since Herr von Ibn feels as he does, I think you’d better go and study the Lion or meditate the glaciers, and leave me here with this lion to do either or both.”
The American laughed. He might not have been so amused except that he knew that she knew all about the girl in Smith College. Such things count sadly against one’s popularity, and being a man of sense he recognized the fact.
“At your service, madame,” he said; “I’m going to turn the care of you over to our friend for the remainder of the promenade hour. He will no doubt appreciate to the fullest extent the honor of the transferred charge.”
“I do appreciate,” he said gravely; “thank you. Good-morning.”
Then as the other walked away he turned to Rosina.
“Was I impolite to him?” he asked, in quite the tone of an old and intimate friend.
“Yes, very,” she answered, nodding.
“You are then displeased?”
“Not at all; I wanted him to go myself.”