“Oh, no, oh, no. I sent you away, if you must know, because I had heard that you were to go up and dine at Holme Park, and because I knew that it would be better for you to be able to say there that you didn’t visit us.”
“Is that what you call a reason?” asked Bram scornfully, angrily.
“Yes, that’s one reason.”
“Well, well, haven’t you any better ones?”
“Perhaps. But I shan’t tell you any more, so you need not ask me for them. I want to know something about this girl you’re engaged to.”
“Not engaged,” said Bram stolidly.
“Well, in love with then? I want to know something about her. I think it very strange that I never heard anything about her before. What is she like?”
“Well, she’s like other girls,” said Bram. “She is much like nine out of every ten girls you meet.”
“Really? I shouldn’t have thought you’d care for a girl like that, Bram.”