Speakin' as a truthful man, then, I'm obliged to say that this dinner ain't like those I used to get at Sam Coy's." Ruth put in a word.

"Well, then, Captain Hunniwell," she said, "I think the restaurant you refer to must be one of the best in the world." Before the captain could reply, Maud did it for him.
"Mrs.Armstrong," she cautioned, "you mustn't take my father too seriously.

He dearly loves to catch people with what he hopes is a joke.

For a minute he caught even me this time, but I see through him now.

He didn't say the dinner at his precious restaurant was BETTER than this one, he said it wasn't like it, that's all.