"It is good of you to temper the aspersion on my sex with a compliment," Katrine returned.
"It is obliging in me," Jack assented; "but politeness requires that I should stretch a point, since you are my guest."
"I am sorry to put you to the inconvenience," she said.
"Of being polite? Thank you!"
"Do you know, I'm sorry that your uncle is not here, Mr. Castleport," said Mrs. Fairhew, as they turned the corner. "It is all very well to have an old woman for a chaperon, but it is rather hard on you and Mr. Taberman not to have some older man to talk to me."
"Oh, you mustn't depreciate your charm at the expense of your age," Jack cried.
"Very pretty," laughed Mrs. Fairhew; "but your uncle"—
"Ouch!" exclaimed Jack, making a fine show of stubbing the toe of his rubber-soled shoe against a projecting paving-stone.
"What did you say?" inquired Katrine, with an air of mild interest.