"Will you kindly tell me what the dear boy did that needs so much apology?" said Paula.
"He's so impulsive," said Mrs. Parkes, with a sigh. "To that extent he is like his father—but—he feels as I do that until your lawsuit is settled one way or the other, he should not have asked you to be his wife. One lump or two?"
Paula opened wide her eyes.
"Be his wife?" she exclaimed. "One lump? No, two. Did he ask me to marry him?"
"Yes. Didn't he? He said he did——"
"So that's what it was—great Heavens! I've been proposed to—and I didn't know it——"
"Of course, he has my consent," went on Mrs Parkes, in a patronizing tone.
"Of course, I mean—thank you—that's rather nice," rejoined Paula, trying to conceal a laugh. "You're awfully good—but—this is nice tea, isn't it?"
"Why, you haven't tasted it yet," protested the landlady.
"No—I'm just going to. The aroma—is——" Gulping the tea down she scalded herself. "It's hot, isn't it?"