Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/114

 'And even that,' I interposed, 'wouldn't matter if we could only prevent girls from being girls.'

Mrs. Hilary, taking no notice whatever of me, pronounced sentence. 'He grossly deceived his father,' she said, and took up her embroidery.

'Most of us have grossly deceived our parents before now,' said I. 'We should all have to confess to something of the sort.'

'I hope you're speaking for your own sex,' observed Mrs. Hilary.

'Not more than yours,' said I. 'You used to meet Hilary on the pier when your father wasn't there—you told me so.'

'Father had authorised my acquaintance with Hilary.'

'I hate quibbles,' said I.

There was a pause. Mrs. Hilary stitched; Hilary observed that the day was fine.

'Now,' I pursued carelessly, 'even Miss Phyllis here has been known to deceive her parents.'

'Oh, let the poor child alone, anyhow,' said Mrs. Hilary.

'Haven't you?' said I to Miss Phyllis.

I expected an indignant denial. So did Mrs. Hilary, for she remarked with a sympathetic air,—

'Never mind his folly, Phyllis dear.'

'Haven't you, Miss Phyllis?' said I.

Miss Phyllis grew very red. Fearing that I was causing her pain, I was about to observe on the prospects of a Dissolution when a shy smile spread over Miss Phyllis's face.

'Yes, once,' said she with a timid glance at