I--I beg your pardon.

I didn't know that you--the young ladies--company--were here.

I intended--I only wanted to say that my friend--" He stopped at the slight smile that passed quickly over Mrs.Hale's mouth, and his pale face reddened with an angry flush.
"I hope he is not worse," said Mrs.Hale, with more than her usual languid gentleness.

"My mother is not here at present.

Can I--can WE--this is my sister--do as well ?" Without looking up he made a constrained recognition of Kate's presence, that embarrassed and curt as it was, had none of the awkwardness of rusticity.
"Thank you; you're very kind.