It was seldom that Brady got off so much of a speech, and he felt a little elated by seeing his friend without an answer for the moment.
"Besides," he continued, "nothing was said, except about what a stunning girl she was. 'Handsomer than ever,' Livingston said, 'since she came home.'"
"So the Anstices are at home?"
"Yes, and Cousin Susan is coming down next week to visit them. She wrote me to be sure to call."
"I shall try to go before Miss Standish arrives."
Brady laughed.
"You and Cousin Susan never did hit it off very well."
"Excuse me, I think she hit me off very well; the fact is, the femme sole after fifty becomes either pious or pugnacious. Miss Standish is both."
"You are prejudiced, as usual, and malicious, too, under the guise of impartiality. Miss Standish is a benevolent woman, with an irresistible bent towards doing people good even against their will."