Herford shook his head. "The lady is in a bit of a temper. I best wait until the storm subsides," he said, and turned away indifferently.
"There is something about that man which always gets on my nerves," Miss Tyler remarked, lowering her voice. "I do not know what it is, and I reckon I should not let it affect me, but it does."
"Cultivate the placid disposition," Miss Marbury recommended.
"Oh, that is very well for you to say, but it is not easy to do. You have not any nerves,—you would not get excited if the house were burning."
"Do not try me, I beg of you!" laughed Judith. "I would be sure to carry down all the pillows, and to throw the chinaware out the second story windows."
"Well, I only wish I had your placidity—not to be always on edge. There is nothing the matter with Captain Herford, I suppose; I just take him wrong.—I always have. But, frankly, Judith, he is not to my liking—though I should not say it to you, the hostess."
Judith Marbury made a little motion of indifference. "Say anything you like, my dear; he is George's guest, not mine."
"You do not like him, either?"
"I neither like nor dislike him—I am totally indifferent."
"But you are always nice to him!—however, you are always nice to every one. Has he ever tried to make love to you?"