She blushed as the remembrance crossed her mind.

Robert, noticing the embarrassment, spoke sharply to Old Sharon.

"You have no right to put such a question to a young lady," he said.

"Be a little more careful for the future." "There! there! don't be hard on me," pleaded the old rogue.

"An ugly old man like me may make his innocent little joke--eh, miss?
I'm sure you're too sweet-tempered to be angry when I meant no offense..