"Why," says I, "not so well as I was a couple of minutes--er--that it's a fine, spiffy afternoon, ain't it?"
"Spiffy!" says she, drawin' in her breath menacin'.
"Vassarese for lovely," says I. "But I don't insist on the word. By the way, is Miss Vee in?"
"She is," says Aunty. "This is not Friday evening, however."
"Ah, say!" says I. "Can't we suspend the rules and regulations for once? You see, I got a machine outside that's a reg'lar--well, it's some car, believe me!--and seein' how there couldn't be a slicker day for a spin, I didn't know but what you'd let Vee off for an hour or so."
"Just you and Verona?" demands Aunty, stiffenin'.
It was some pill to swallow, but after a few uneasy throat wiggles I got it down. "Unless," says I, "you--you'd like to go along too. You wouldn't, would you?"
Aunty indulges in one of them tight-lipped smiles of hers that's about as merry as a crack in a vinegar cruet. "How thoughtful of you!" says she. "However, I am not fond of motoring."
I don't know whether someone punctured an air cushion just then, or whether it was me heavin' a sigh of relief. "Ain't you?" says I. "But Vee's strong for it, and if you don't mind----"
"My niece is writing letters," says Aunty, "and asked not to be disturbed until after five o'clock."
"But in this case," I goes on, "maybe she'd sidetrack the letters if you'd send up word how----"
"Young man," says Aunty, settin' her chin firm, "I think you are quite aware of my attitude. Your persistent attentions to my niece are wholly unwelcome. True, you are no longer a mere office boy; but--well, just who are you?"
"Private sec. of Mutual Funding," says I.
"And a youth known as Torchy?" she adds sarcastic.
"Yes; but see here!" says I. "I've just dug up a----"
"That will do," she breaks in. "We have discussed all this before. And I've no doubt you think me simply a disagreeable, crotchety old person. Has it ever occurred to you, however, that you may have failed to get my point of view? Can you not conceive then that it might be somewhat humiliating to me to know that my maids suppress a smile as they announce--Mr. Torchy? Understand, I am not censuring you for being a nameless waif. No, do not interrupt. I realize that this is something for which you should not be held responsible. But can't you see, young man----"