“Now I call that too bad,” declared Tom, with an aggrieved look. “And, pray, why aren’t you scared when in my august society?”
“I am,” said Patty, dimpling, as she smiled at him, “only I’m successfully striving not to show my quaking fright.”
“That’s better. I hope the longer you know me, the more awed you’ll be of my,—of my——”
“Of your what?” calmly inquired his sister.
“’Pon my word, I don’t know,” confessed Tom, good-naturedly; “of my awesomeness, I suppose.”
“How do you like London?” said a loud voice, in the tones that are sometimes called stentorian, and Patty suddenly realised that her host was addressing her.
A bit embarrassed at finding the eyes of all at the table upon her, she answered, shyly: “I love it; it is so—so kind to me.”
“Bravo! Pretty good for an American,” shouted Mr. Pauncefote, who seemed unable to moderate his voice. “And which do you like best, the people or the show-places?”
“The people,” said Patty, her embarrassment lost sight of in a flash of mischief. “I like the Members of Parliament better than Parliament House.”
“Good! Good!” cried the portly M.P., striking the table with his fist until the cups rattled; “that’s true Yankee cleverness. You’re a good sort, my child. Are they all like you in America?”