Dan had not the slightest idea of introducing his charge to Allen or to any one else, and he stepped in front of her to get rid of his friend with the fewest words possible.

But Marian so disposed herself at his elbow that he could not without awkwardness refuse her.
She murmured Allen's name cordially, leveling her eyes at him smilingly.
"I've often heard Mr.Harwood speak of you, Mr.Thatcher! He has a great way of speaking of his friends!" Allen was not a forthputting person, and Dan's manner was not encouraging; but the trio remained together necessarily through the aisle to the foyer.
Marian took advantage of their slow exit to discuss the play and with entire sophistication, expressing astonishment that Allen was lukewarm in his praise of it.

He could not agree with her that the leading woman was beautiful, but she laughed when he remarked, with his droll intonation, that the star reminded him of a dressed-up mannikin in a clothing-store window.
"That is just the kind of thing I imagined you would say.

My aunt, Mrs.
Owen, says that you always say something different." "Oh, Aunt Sally! She's the grandest of women.

I wish she were my aunt.