"When he's got her alone," said she promptly, "and has just been dazzling her with a display of his erudition and understanding."
And she, whom Mary had described as the one steady sister in the lot, flung him a melting and piercing glance. But Mr. Langham was not deceived.
"I ask you an academic question," he said, "and you give me an absolutely cradle-snatching answer. I may look easy, Miss Maud, but there are people who will protect me."
"The best time to propose to a girl? You really want to know? I thought you were just starting one of your jokes."
"If I am," said he, "the joke will be on me. But I really want to know."
"The best moment," said she, "is that moment in which she learns that one of her friends or one of her sisters younger than she is engaged to be married. When an unengaged girl hears of another girl's engagement she has a momentary panic, during which she is helpless and defenseless. That is my best judgment, Mr. Sam Langham. And the older the girl the greater the panic. And now I've betrayed my sex. In fact, I have told you absolutely all that is definitely known about girls."
Just outside the office he met Gay.
"Halloo!" she said.
He only made signs at her and flapped his arms up and down.
"They can't talk," he said.