"Damn George!" was Mr.Fowler's fervent retort.

"And it took me so by surprise I almost fainted, for I'd never in my life heard him swear before," his wife had commented later.
"But aren't men strange?
To think he knew how all the time and kept it to himself! I declare they are entirely too secretive for anything!" "I heard what you were saying when I knocked," began Gabriella, with perfect composure.

"I don't quite know what it was about, but I think--I think--" "It was nothing, dear; Patty and I were gossiping," replied Mrs.Fowler, with an eagerness that was almost violent.

"Oh, Patty, you wouldn't!"-- for Patty had broken in, conquering and merciless, with the declaration: "If you don't tell Gabriella, mamma, I'm going to.

It's outrageous, anyhow, I've always said so, the way people keep things from women.