“I’m all right now, thank you. I get used to things very quickly. And,—by the way,—you don’t mind my talking to you? Without having been properly introduced, I mean.”
“I do mind very much. I think you’re forward and unconventional, and I hate both those traits.”
“You’re so direct! Now, a softer, subtler insinuation would have pleased me better.”
“But I’m not trying to please you!”
“No? You really ought to study to please.” The young man arose and looked at Patty with an air of calm, impersonal criticism. “It would suit your personal appearance so well.”
“Indeed! What is my personal appearance?”
“Ah, direct and curious, both! Well, your beauty is of the sort described in most novels as ‘not a classic face, or even good-featured, but with that indescribable charm’——”
“Indeed! I’ve been told that my features were very good.”
“Ridiculous nonsense! Why, your eyes are too large for your face; your hair is too heavy for your head; and, and, your hands are too little for anything!”
“How rude you are!” said Patty, shaking with laughter, “but as I brought it on myself, I suppose I oughtn’t to complain. Now, let’s drop personalities and talk commonplaces.”