"I've never seen Nobby look so clean," said Jill, with a daring irrelevance that took my breath away.
"I observe," said I, "that you are growing up. Your adolescence is at hand. You are fast emerging from the chrysalis of girlish innocence, eager to show yourself a pert and scheming butterfly." My cousin regarded me with feigned bewilderment. "Yes, you've got the baby stare all right, but you must learn to control that little red mouth. Watch Daphne."
Jill made no further endeavour to restrain the guilty laughter which was trembling upon her lips.
"I b-believe you just love her," she bubbled.
I thought very rapidly. Then—
"I think we all do," said I. "She's very attractive."
"I mean it," said Jill.
"So do I. Look at her ears. Oh, I forgot. Hides them under her hair, doesn't she? Her eyes, then."
"I observe," said Jill pompously, "that you are sitting up and taking notice. Your adol—adol—er—what you said, is at hand. You are emerging from the chrysalis of ignorance——"
"This is blasphemy. You wicked girl. And what are you getting at? Matchmaking or only blackmail?"