It was an awkward beginning, but Jamie refused to be embarrassed and, after a moment of silence, the others tried hard to follow his example.
Harry was evidently bent on pleasing.
"Ever been in St. Louis, Mr. O'Brien?" He spoke with a proprietorial air as one might of a household pet, pronouncing the name of his city Louie. "Fine place, St. Louie!"
"For meself," Jamie answered unexpectedly, "I never much cared for it. It's a hot hole!"
Ellen flushed. "Why, Dad!"
Jamie looked up impatiently. "What's the matter now?"
"Dad, don't you know that St. Louie is where Harry lives?"
"I do not!" Jamie answered truthfully. "And, if you ask me, Ellen, I don't see why I should."
"Jamie O'Brien!" Mrs. O'Brien gasped, "what's come over you? I haven't heard you talk so much at table in ten years!" She turned to her guest. "Would you believe me, Harry, there are weeks on end when I never get a word out of him! Sometimes I think I'll forget how to talk meself for lack of some one to exchange a word with! And to think," she concluded, "that Jamie's been in St. Louie! I give you me word of honour I never heard that before! Tell me, Jamie, when was it?"
Jamie ruminated a moment. "It must have been before we were married."