Page:Barry Pain - Az ablak The Window.djvu/16

14 «Coming hack again,» said Packer, with a plea­sed smile, «to what you were saying just now. «It's not the case, o f course. But, if I might put the ques­tion, I should like to ask you what made you say I was a typical ladies'man [sic]?»

«Well, Mr. Packer», said Taggs, «I don't know how to put it in different words. There is a style. Some have it; some, on the other hand, have not. You've got it, and I think the ladies mostly know.»

«As to there being a style,» said Packer, «well, of course there is. (O damn it, waiter, don't go ) slopping ) it about like that!) That can't be denied. There is an art in making oneself agreeable to the female sex, and in conducting oneself in society in the correct way. So far as that goes, perhaps I take rather more trouble than most men to avoid mistakes. It may be that I have had more opportunities for practice and rather more experience than some. But I should be very sorry to be vain enough to think there was any more in it than that.»

«There's a good deal more,» said Taggs, with conviction. «Many a time when with ladies I've wished you were there to give me a hint or two. Now last Saturday was a case in point. I should very much like to know what you would have done in a similar case.»

«Well, my advice is quite at your disposal, if you really want it. T have sometimes been able to get out of a little difficulty in a way that people have spoken kindly of.»