"Be quiet, Miles!—for she dropped her ice and became quite friendly. And I talked a lot."
She was aware of a convulsive movement above her, and a suppressed cough. She raised inquiring eyebrows.
"Well, sir?"
"Nothing, asthore—nothing. Go on with the tale—you were saying—"
"That I talked a lot." She paused, and her eyes dared him; then she dimpled and dropped her lashes over them. "I shan't tell you all I said—"
A relieved sigh interrupted her.
"And if you continue to behave in this disagreeable fashion I shall not say another word about anything!"
Having satisfied herself that he was not going to venture a retort, she continued:
"We had a long chat, and I gathered, from all she said and left unsaid, that Jack, for some foolish reason, will not ask her to marry him."
"Foolish reason, asthore?" he interrupted.