But the skin of my palms--" "Oh!" shuddered Olivetta.
"Were you much hurt ?" asked Mrs.De Peyster, for a moment forgetting her reproving manner in her affectionate concern.
"Mother, with your love for old lace, you certainly would like the openwork effect of my skin.

But--the patient will recover." "I trust this experience has been a lesson to you!" said Mrs.De Peyster with returned severity.
"Oh, it has--a big lesson!" Jack heartily agreed.
"Then I trust you will do nothing of the kind again." "I trust I won't have to!" There was rather an odd quality in Jack's tone.
"Won't have to?
What do you mean ?" "You've questioned me a lot, mother.

I'd like to put a few leading questions to you.

And--u'm--alone.

Olivetta," he remarked pleasantly, "do you know that Sherlock Holmes found it an instructive and valuable occupation to count the stair-steps in a house?
Suppose you run out for five minutes and count 'em.