"Just so—that is what I said. You call your paternities PA, do you?—we always call the old fellows governors, in England."
"Do you call your father Gov. Kockney? I did not know that governor was an English title; it sounds very plebeian in my ears."
"Now, what DO you mean? ha! ha!—you are delightful. You put me in mind of a good scene at the drawing-room, last June. Though, perhaps, you don't know what the drawing-room is?"
"Oh, yes; I know that it means Court. My tastes are so exclusive, that I may say I have lived in English High-Life from the time I married, and became intimate with Mrs. Bagman. I feel quite at home in such scenes, for I read every novel that comes out with Lords and Ladies in it. What were you going to tell me about Court?"
The story was interrupted by Miss Hubbard, who tripped across the room to carry her sister off with her.
"Now you are not going, I hope? Why not stay 'ere; I am sure this sofa is the most comfortable thing in the room."
"I must go to receive some friends of mine, come over expressly from the city."
"Pray, keep me clear of the cits! But now, if you will go, just leave me your bouquet as a a consolation. Thank you.—Oh, yes, I'll take good care of it."
"I hope you will, for it's a ten dollar bouquet, and I'm very proud of it. You must not steal a single flower, mind."
"Mustn't I?—Do you dare me?" and the agreeable Captain began to pull out several flowers. Mrs. Hilson, however, was hurried away.