He said he must draw the line somewhere. It is strange
that the word _somewhere_ in that sentence invariably means the
precise point where it is most painful to have it drawn."
Allan Dunlop, who had already had some experience of the Commodore's
ability to draw the line at the sensitive point designated by his
daughter, murmured only, "very strange."
"Not that he was in the least unkind about it," continued Rose. "Papa
is always lovely to me, no matter how I behave."
"Very lovely?"
"_Very_ lovely."
"I never before was so struck with the truths of heredity," mused the
young man. "You are exactly like him."
"_Oh_!" the girl dropped her face in her hands a moment, and then
thrust them out with the palms toward her guest. "You have need to beg
a thousand pardons and a thousand more to cover the offences you have
committed. And you have broken your promise!"
"What a harsh accusation! I promised not to come to the verge of a
compliment. Do you think that was on the verge?"
"No! It was too blunt--too dreadfully--"
"It is a pleasure to hear you so emphatically contradict an assertion
made by yourself.
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