Diane, wasn't Sally the deceitful thing?
An heiress all the time! And I'm to be a planter and smoke fine cigars and drink mint juleps! No, there won't be any juleps." "Russ, you're talking nonsense," reproved Sally.

"Surely it's no time to be funny." "All right," I replied with resignation.

It was no task to discard that hollow mask of humor.

A silence ensued, and I waited for it to be broken.
"Is Steele badly hurt ?" asked Miss Sampson presently.
"No.

Not what he or I'd call hurt at all.