At this answer the lady looked perplexed, and then indignant.
"Horace, quit your fooling!" she said, coldly.
"I am not fooling, madam."
"Oh, such a man! Perhaps you'll say next that I am not your wife!" continued the lady, with a black look.
"You certainly are not my wife, for I am a bachelor, madam," and now Mr. Garwell began to grow more embarrassed than ever, while Nat was completely mystified.
"Not my husband? Oh, you wretch, to say such a thing!" The lady turned to the child. "Lulu, who is this?"
"Why, that's papa," answered the little girl, promptly.
"Now, Horace, do you hear that?"
"I—I heard what she said," answered the real estate broker, feebly. "But—but——"
"If you are not her father, why did you buy her candy?"