"Where did you pick up such a spite against us?" said Mr.
Stackpole, drawing a little back and eyeing her as one would a
belligerent mouse or cricket. "Will you tell me now that
Americans are not prejudiced?"
"What do you call prejudice?" said Fleda, smiling.
"Oh, there is a great deal of it, no doubt, here, Mr. Stackpole," said Mrs. Evelyn, blandly; "but we shall grow out of it in time; it is only the premature wisdom of a young people."
"And young people never like to hear their wisdom rebuked," said. Mr. Stackpole, bowing.
"Fleda, my dear, what for is that little significant shake of your head?" said Mrs. Evelyn, in her amused voice.
"A trifle, Ma'am."
"Covers a hidden rebuke, Mrs. Evelyn, I have no doubt, for both our last remarks. What is it, Miss Fleda? I dare say we can bear it."
"I was thinking, Sir, that none would trouble themselves much about our foolscap if we had not once made them wear it."
"Mr. Stackpole, you are worsted! I only wish Mr. Carleton had been here!" said Mrs. Evelyn, with a face of excessive delight.
"I wish he had," said Fleda, "for then I need not have spoken a word."