At once new light broke in upon Esther.
"I believe you are letting the cat out of the bag," she said, "for I am sure this is intended to be a surprise for me. I have a birthday to-day."
"A birthday?" Kenneth said. "Let me see—" he said with comic gravity,"—you are getting to be a venerable lady. I presume you'll never see fifty again?"
"Oh, I assure you that is altogether too young." Then she turned to Lord Kelwin.
"Do you think it proper to suggest such frivolity as a flirtation to one of my advanced years?"
"Highly improper. Highly improper," said the Irishman, "but I'd like a hand in such a flirtation myself." He seemed to enjoy the nonsense.
"Then there would be two victims."
"You and I?" questioned Lord Kelwin.
"No; you and Mr. Kenneth."
"I was just thinking—." Lord Kelwin paused, to think of something that would make him a score.