"You mustn't say anything; I didn't mean it!" "I dare say you called me a sour old curmudgeon ?" hinted the Captain, pretending to be very much grieved.

"Didn't you ?" "No, I didn't," said Nellie, jumping up and throwing her arms round his neck to kiss him.

"I think you are the dearest and kindest old Captain that ever was!" "Humph!" he ejaculated in a smothered voice, addressing her aunt.
"There's no doubt, ma'am, where she gets the `blarney' from.

It runs in the family!" "Sure an' small blame to her either," retorted the other defiantly.
"It's fortunate for us women that we have something wherewith to get the better of you hard men sometimes." "Sometimes, eh?
always, I think," growled the Captain, looking very knowing and laughing the while.

"But, I won't argue the point with you, ma'am--sure to get the worst of it if I do.