"Always?" she mocked.
"At least until I leave you."
"Thank Heaven, cousin, for once in my life I have had an honest answer!" she exclaimed, holding out her hand.
I took it. I did not kiss it, though that may seem strange. Sometimes, I do have the proper sense of the fitness of things.
"It's the privilege of cousins to be frank," I quoted.
"Have you always been frank with me?" she asked.
"Rather too much so, I fear."
She gave me a sharp look. "Do you know a Captain Smith of your Army?"
"Smith is a very common name in America. I know at least a dozen who are officers."
"John Smith is his name. He was a Captain, six years ago."