"Ah, Mr. Buzza, I am interested in you already—my husband has been telling me how he met you."
"Proud to hear it," muttered Sam.
"Oh, yes. I hope we shall be great friends. It is so kind of you all to call."
Sam asked her not to mention it; and looked at his father, whose face was by this time purple with conversation.
"I say, ain't the old boy enjoying himself, though!" he remarked in a sudden burst of confidence. "What do you think of him?"
Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys smiled sweetly, and replied that the Admiral was "so thorough."
"Thorough old duffer, you mean. Look at him. What with his gold spangles and his talking to Mr. Goodwyn-Sandys, he's as proud as a cock on a wall."
His hostess laughed. "You are very frank," she said.
"That's me all over," replied Sam, evidently pleased. "You see, I ain't polite—not a ladies' man in any way."
"There I am sure you do yourself injustice."