"I call it feminine punctuality. If a woman fails to keep an appointment by not more than half an hour, she is a model woman. I promised to meet you at nine, and it is now barely twenty-five minutes past. Mr. Quirk, could any woman achieve more than that?"
"My acquaintance with women is so limited that I must refuse to arbitrate. If I were Desmond, I should swear," answered Denis.
"Have you been swearing, Desmond?" she asked.
"If so, I have forgotten it. I am now the most supremely contented man in the world," answered Desmond.
"Well, good-bye, children!" cried Denis.
He was surprised at himself for this speech; it was a frivolity that he had never before been guilty of. But with Sylvia Jackson there were no restraints, nor was his remark in the slightest degree extraordinary to her. She called out after him as he went:
"Don't forget our appointment after lunch."
"You have charmed the grizzly bear," said Desmond. "I believe you could teach him to dance."
"I intend to do that. Before I go away he shall dance to my music, the dear old grizzly," she answered. "I intend to drop you handsome men and cultivate the ugly ones. Denis Quirk is charming!"