“You see what you must do to be forgiven,” Henderson said to Lyon, with that good-natured smile that was so potent to smooth away sharpness.
“I fear I can never do enough to qualify myself.” And he also laughed.
“You never will,” Carmen answered, but she accompanied the doubt with a witching smile that denied it.
“What is all this about forgiveness?” asked Mrs. Eschelle, turning to them from regarding the stage.
“Oh, we were having an experience meeting behind your back, mamma, only Mr. Henderson won't tell his experience.”
“Miss Eschelle is in such a forgiving humor tonight that she absolves before any one has a chance to confess,” he replied.
“Don't you think I am always so, Mr. Lyon?”
Mr. Lyon bowed. “I think that an opera-box with Miss Eschelle is the easiest confessional in the world.”
“That's something like a compliment. You see” (to Henderson) “how much you Americans have to learn.”
“Will you be my teacher?”