"That is very true, Mr. Dale; I have frequently found it both mortifying, distressing and annoying to the last degree, at little social gatherings at Toronto, to find myself openly accused of flirtation, because some man friend and I dared to enjoy a tête-à-tête chat on some mutual topic of interest."
"But some women do flirt when they get a man in a corner, whether he is married or no," said Mrs. Dale.
"Yes; but because some do, we should not all drift as we are, into no conversation between the sexes," said Mrs. Gower.
"No, certainly not," said Dale; "Emerson says, 'I prize the mechanics of conversation, 'tis pulley, lever and screw;' and it is especially delightful between men and women—when it occurs."
"Yes, as you say—when it occurs—Mr. Dale; but why is it, that the more solid tone of conversation of men is so seldom blended with the, at times more refined, even if it be more frivolous, chit-chat of my sex? Simply because of our dread of gossip?"
"Then there is something 'rotten in the state of Denmark,'" said Mrs. Dale.
"There is, dear," said Mrs. Gower, gravely, rising from the table.
"Mr. Smyth is in the library, ma'am," said Thomas.
"Oh, ask him if he has lunched, Thomas."
"He has, ma'am."