But I've had a little adventure of my own this afternoon; though whether it would interest you to hear it----" "Oh, do tell me!" said Austin, eagerly.

"An adventure--you ?" "I'm not sure whether adventure is quite the correct expression," replied Aunt Charlotte, "and I don't quite know how to begin.

You see, my dear Austin, that you are very young." "It isn't anything improper, is it ?" asked Austin, innocently.
"If you say such things as that I won't utter another word," rejoined his aunt.

"I simply state the fact--that you are very young." "And I hope I shall always remain so," Austin said.
"That being the case," resumed his aunt, impressively, "a great many things happened long before you were born." "I've never doubted that for a moment, even in my most sceptical moods," Austin assured her seriously.
"Well, I once knew a gentleman," continued Aunt Charlotte, "of whom I used to see a great deal.

Indeed I had reasons for believing that--the gentleman--rather appreciated my--conversation.