"And, after all," continued Susie, "our reply was the exact and literal truth—of a kind which, I should imagine, is well known to diplomats."
The occupant of the chair had quite made up his mind that Susie was the prettier.
"It is their favourite kind," he assured her; "nothing delights them more than to lie while telling the truth."
"Them? But aren't you a diplomat?"
"There are many who doubt it. Perhaps they will doubt it more than ever before we are out of this tangle. It's awfully good of you and your sister to take an interest in it."
"But of course we'd take an interest!"
"And keep a secret."
"Ah—well, perhaps that is a little unusual."
"Especially after my rudeness," he added.
"Your rudeness?"