Auntie is afraid I am ill.

Don't you think I look about as well as anyone could look ?" Heman bowed.

"If my poor opinion is worth anything," he observed, "I should say that to find fault with your appearance, Miss Howes, would be like venturing to--er---paint the lily, as the saying is.

I might say more, but--ahem--perhaps I had better not." Judging by the young lady's expression he had said quite enough already.
"Idiot!" she exclaimed, after he had left the room.

"I ask him a sensible question and he thinks it necessary to answer with a silly compliment.