He begged this in a lofty, detached, somewhat weary manner, as a man of the world, excessively bored at the dull chatter but still the fastidious gentleman, might have begged it, breaking into one of the many repetitions by his hostess of just what she had said to Mrs.Judge Ellis.

He was again Clifford Armytage, enacting a polished society man among yokels.

He was so impressive, after rising, in his bow to Mrs.
Gashwiler that Amos regarded him with a kindling suspicion.
"Say!" he called, as Merton in the hallway plucked his rakish plush hat from the mirrored rack.

"You remember, now, no more o' that skylarkin' with them dummies! Them things cost money." Merton paused.

He wished to laugh sarcastically, a laugh of withering scorn.