“Then you really think you are pretty?” said Mr. Morris, looking at his companion, who flushed under the remark.
“Ah, now,” she said, “you imagine you are carrying the war into the enemy’s country. But I don’t at all appreciate a remark like that. I don’t know but I dislike it even more than I do your compliments, which is saying a good deal.”
“I assure you,” said Morris, stiffly, “that I have not intended to pay any compliments. I am not a man who pays compliments.”
“Not even left-handed ones?”
“Not even any kind, that I know of. I try as a general thing to speak the truth.”
“Ah, and shame your hearers?”
“Well, I don’t care who I shame as long as I succeed in speaking the truth.”
“Very well, then; tell me the truth. Have you noticed this handsome young lady I speak of?”
“Yes, I have seen her.”
“Don’t you think she is very pretty?”