“That you praised me, for me to hear you. Did you?”
“Acquit me of such meanness.”
“Forgive me. It is just what I should have done, had I been courting an actress.”
“I think you have not met many ingenuous spirits, dear friend.”
“Not one, my child.”
This was a phrase she often applied to him now.
“The old fellow pretended to hear what I said, too; and I am sure you did not—did you?”
“Guess.”
“I guess not.”
“I am afraid I must plead guilty. An actress's ears are so quick to hear praise, to tell you the truth, I did catch a word or two, and, 'It told, sir—it told.'”