Page:Under the Deodars - Kipling (1890).djvu/34

 "I didn't—I didn't—I didn't! "said Mrs. Hauksbee angrily, her eyes filling with tears. "There was no malice at all. Ob, it's too vexatious!"

"You've misunderstood the compliment," said Mrs. Mallowe. "He clears you completely and—ahem—I should think by this, that he has cleared completely too. My experience of men is, that when they begin to quote poetry they are going to flit. Like swans singing before they die, you know."

"Polly, you take my sorrows in a most unfeeling way."

"Do I? Is it so terrible? If he's hurt your vanity, I should say that you've done a certain amount of damage to his heart."

"Oh, you can never tell about a man!" said Mrs. Hauksbee with deep scorn.