'Twenty-nine,' she answered promptly.
'Nonsense. There is no such age.'
'Pardon me,' she protested gravely. 'Upper parlour maids are always twenty-nine. But I deplore your tendency to digress.'
'Am I digressing? I'm so sorry. What were we talking about?'
Julia giggled. She did not know where the cab was going, and she certainly did not care. She was thoroughly enjoying herself.
'You were taking advantage of my vast experience in such matters to learn how a man proposes to an eligible widow of great personal attractions.'
'Your advice can't be very valuable, since you always refused the others.'
'I didn't indeed,' she replied promptly. 'I made a point of accepting them all.'
'That at all events is encouraging.'
'Of course you may do it in your own way if you choose. But I must have a proposal in due form.'