Of no importance in itself, of course, but betraying in Armour a certain lack of observation.

I felt the Departmental Head crumble in me, however, as I recognized him, and I pulled the mare up in a manner which she plainly resented.

It was my opportunity to do cautiously and delicately what I had omitted the afternoon before; but my recollection is that I was very clumsy.
I said something about the dust, and he said something about the glare, and then I could think of nothing better than to ask him if he wouldn't like to meet a few Simla people.
'Oh, I know lots of people, thanks,' he said.

'It's kind of you to think of it, all the same, but I've got any amount of friends here.' I thought of Mr.Rosario, and stood, or sat confounded.
The mare fidgeted; I knocked a beast of a fly off her, and so gained time.
'This is my second season up here, you know.' 'Your second season!' I exclaimed.

'Where on earth have you been hiding ?' 'Well, I didn't exhibit last year, you see.