“There, Miss Cullen,” I asked, “does the East come up to that in gallantry?”
“Do you really mean that there is no charge?” demanded Madge, incredulously, with her purse in her hand.
“That’s the size of it,” said the operator.
“I’m not going to believe that!” cried Madge. “I know you are only deceiving me, and I really want to pay.”
I laughed as I said, “Sometimes railroad superintendents can send messages free, Miss Cullen.”
“How silly of me!” exclaimed Madge. Then she remarked, “How nice it is to be a railroad superintendent, Mr. Gordon! I should like to be one myself.”
That speech really lifted me off my feet, but while I was thinking what response to make, I came down to earth with a bounce.
“Since the telegram’s done,” said Lord Ralles to Miss Cullen, in a cool, almost commanding tone, “suppose we take a walk.”
“I don’t think I care to this morning,” answered Madge.
“I think you had better,” insisted his lordship, with such a manner that I felt inclined to knock him down.