"What else ?" "I think I asked him whether he was fond of gardening," said Miss Nugent, slowly.

"Yes, I'm sure I did." "You had no business to speak to him at all," said the fuming captain.
"I don't quite see how I could help doing so," said his daughter.

"You surely don't expect me to be rude to your visitors?
Besides, I feel rather sorry for him." "Sorry ?" repeated the captain, sharply.

"What for ?" "Because he hasn't got a nice, kind, soft-spoken father," said Miss Nugent, squeezing his arm affectionately.
The appearance of the other couple at the head of the path saved the captain the necessity of a retort.

They stood in a little knot talking, but Miss Nugent, contrary to her usual habit, said but little.