"Yes, I knew him," returning his gaze with calm, untroubled eyes.
"He was there for a long time. What was the attraction, eh?"
"How can I tell you? Sport, I believe."
"Oh!" with a palpable wink at Katie. "Sport! There are a good many different kinds of sport. And now tell me what you think of him."
"I'm not prepared with an opinion at such short notice."
"Which means that you don't like him! Neither do I. Come, that's one bond of union—give us your hand on it," jumping up and stretching an eager red member across the table,—where it remained alone, and unsought!
"I never said that I did not like Mr. Lisle," returned Helen, with freezing politeness.
"Oh!" drawing back, visibly affronted. "So that's the way with you, is it? Well, he is not a bad-looking chap, and you know he is a great catch! Plenty of other girls would give their ears to marry him."
"Pray explain yourself, Mr. Sheridan," said Helen, fiercely. "Do you mean me to understand that I would have given my ears to marry him?" Her eyes were flashing and her colour rising, and there was every indication of a domestic storm.
"Don't mind him! Don't mind him!" cried Katie, gallantly turning the tide of battle, "it's only his chaff; he loves to put people in a passion. Barry, you must really remember that Helen is not used to your jokes yet."