Instead of taking the joke, he looked confused.

A deeper tinge of color reddened his dark cheeks.

"I didn't say so," he answered, a little irritably.
Sir Patrick lifted two of his white, wrinkled old fingers, and good-humoredly patted the young sailor on the cheek.
"Yes you did," he said.

"In red letters." The little gold lid in the knob of the ivory cane flew up, and the old gentleman rewarded himself for that neat retort with a pinch of snuff.
At the same moment Blanche made her appearance on the scene.
"Mr.Brinkworth," she said, "I shall want you directly.

Uncle, it's your turn to play." "Bless my soul!" cried Sir Patrick, "I forgot the game." He looked about him, and saw his mallet and ball left waiting on the table.