“Your looks,” said he.

“Are they very descriptive?” said I apprehensively.

“Narrative powers of Dickens and Thackeray,” said he, lighting a fresh cigarette. “Decent girl though.”

“Decent!” said I, clenching my fist in my enthusiasm; “she’s the magnificentest girl you ever saw!”

“Strange,” said he, “how all the objects of our affection suffer from superlatives.”

“She’s not an object,” said I fiercely, “she’s a perfect angel. If you knew her, you’d say she was too good to live. And such eyes too!”

“Oh, Granny, what big ears you’ve got!” said he; then dropping his tone, “you excite my fears, old chap. ’Devilish cut up to find your nervous system in such a disorganized condition.”

“Don’t spill your phrases all over the place,” said I. “You’re not in Parliament yet.”

You’re putting up for Elysium, I see,” he said. “Don’t think you’ll get in though. Rival candidates too strong.”

“Who?” I said faintly.