She was somewhat disturbed, however, as, wishing to forward the widow's matrimonial aims, she had invited her to dinner for the ensuing night.

This she told her step-father, and, rather to her surprise, he expressed himself sorry that he could not remain.
"Mrs.Jasher," said Braddock hastily, drinking his coffee, "is a very sensible woman, who knows when to be silent." "She is also a good housekeeper, I believe," hinted Miss Kendal demurely.
"Eh, what?
Well?
Why do you say that ?" snapped Braddock sharply.
Lucy fenced.
"Mrs.Jasher admires you, father." Braddock grunted, but did not seem displeased, since even a scientist possessing the usual vanity of the male is not inaccessible to flattery.
"Did Mrs.Jasher tell you this ?" he inquired, smiling complacently.
"Not in so many words.

Still, I am a woman, and can guess how much another woman leaves unsaid." Lucy paused, then added significantly: "I do not think that she is so very old, and you must admit that she is wonderfully well preserved." "Like a mummy," remarked the Professor absently; then pushed back his chair to add briskly: "What does all this mean, you minx?
I know that the woman is all right so far as a woman can be: but her confounded age and her looks and her unexpressed admiration.

What are these to an old man like myself ?" "Father," said Lucy earnestly, "when I marry Archie I shall, in all probability, leave Gartley for London." "I know--I know.

Bless me, child, do you think that I have not thought of that?
If you were only wise, which you are not, you would marry Random and remain at the Fort." "Sir Frank has other fish to fry, father.