And a little laugh from his companion did not tend to soothe his feelings.
"Thank you," he said.

"Perhaps it is funny.

I did not find it so.

Good evening." This was priggish, but it must be borne in mind that John Ellery was very, very fresh from the theological school, where young divines are taught to take themselves seriously.

He was ashamed of himself as soon as he said it, which proved that his case was not beyond hope.
The girl detained him as he was turning away.
"I wasn't laughing at that," she said.