Such a droll man! Oh, la! la!" "Are you his friend, Madam ?" I asked bluntly.
"Why should I not be ?" I could frame neither offensive nor defensive art with her.

She mocked me.
In a few moments the weazened old woman was back with cold fowl, wine, napery, silver.
"Will Monsieur carve ?" At her nod the old woman filled my glass, after my hostess had tasted of her own.

We had seated ourselves at the table as she spoke.
"Not so bad for a black midnight, eh ?" she went on, "-- in a strange town--and on a strange errand?
And again let me express my approbation of your conduct." "If it pleases you, 'tis more than I can say of it for myself," I began.
"But why ?" "Because you ask no questions.

You take things as they come.

I did not expect you would come to Montreal." "Then you know--but of course, I told you." "Have you then no question ?" she went on at last.