He looked ashamed, as if he had been caught in telling a story.

They made a picture, as he stood there pulling his beard, of American chivalry and Gallic guile, which was almost pathetic.
"Well," said he, "as it's necessary that Mrs.Wick should lie down as soon as possible you might show us those third floor rooms." Then he recovered his dignity and glanced at Madame more in sorrow than in anger.

"Certainly, sare," she said severely.

"Will you use the lift?
For the lift there is no sharge." "That," said the Senator, "is real liberal." In moments of emotion poppa often dropped into an Americanism.

"If it's a serious offer I think we _will_ use the lift." At a nod from Madame, Francois went away to seek the man belonging to the lift, and after a time returned with him.