"I do comprehend not," the Count said.
"It is no matter, Count," put in the hostess. "She is only teasing you, and being rude into the bargain. You will take tea? Alice, pour the Count some tea."
Alice took up a cup.
"How many lumps?" she asked.
"Loomps? Loomps? Oh, eet weel be sugaire een de tea. Tree, eef you weel be so goot weedeen eet."
Just as the Count, with profuse expressions of overwhelming gratitude to have been permitted so great an honor, had received his tea from the hand of Miss Endicott, and Miss Wentstile was clearing her throat with the evident intention of directing toward him some profound observation, Mrs. Neligage came briskly forward with outstretched hand.
"It would be generous of you, Count," she said, "to recognize an old friend."
He stared at her with evident astonishment.
"Ciel!" he exclaimed. "Ah, but eet weel be de belle Madame Neleegaze!"
She laughed as she shook hands, her dark eyes sparkling with fun.