“She’s an idea she’s too good for the world she lives in,” said Betty. “When you’re with her, you feel as you will before the judgment throne.”
“Undoubtedly a disturbing feeling,” put in the Major.
“She never hands you anything but you find a pin hidden in it,” went on the girl. “All her remarks are meant to be read backward, and my life is too short to straighten out their kinks. I like a person to say what they mean in plain English, and then I can either like them or not.”
“Mostly not,” said the Major, grimly; and added, “Anyway, she’s beautiful.”
“Perhaps,” said the other. “So is the Jungfrau; but I prefer something more comfortable.”
“What’s Chappie de Peyster beauing her around for?” asked Mrs. Venable. “Is he a candidate?”
“Maybe his debts are troubling him again,” said Mistress Betty. “He must be in a desperate plight.—Did you hear how Jack Audubon proposed to her?”
“Did Jack propose?” exclaimed the Major.
“Of course he did,” said the girl. “His brother told me.” Then, for Montague’s benefit, she explained, “Jack Audubon is the Major’s nephew, and he’s a bookworm, and spends all his time collecting scarabs.”
“What did he say to her?” asked the Major, highly amused.