“Il me faut dire que, vraiment, Madame Ralston parait aussi agee qu’elle l’est!” (“I am obliged to say that Mrs. Ralston appears as old as she is!”)
Then he straightened as if he had just delivered a stunning compliment.
“Merci!” The lady smiled. She also beamed. “How well you speak French, Mr. Bennett!”
The commodore nearly exploded. He understood French.
Bob expanded, beginning to breathe freely once more. “Language of courtiers and diplomats!” he mumbled.
Mrs. Ralston shook an admonishing finger at him. “Flatterer!” she said, and departed.
Whereupon the commodore leaned weakly against Dickie while Clarence sank into a chair. First round for Bob!
The commodore was the first to recover. His voice was reproachful. “Was that quite fair?—that parleyvoo business? I don’t know about it’s being allowed.”
“Why not?” calmly from Bob. “Is truth confined to one tongue?”