“And they call that chivalry!

“No true gentleman would ever threaten to have a lady sent up.

“Did he get his pin?  Well, I should say not.  She threw such a strong bluff about suing him for defamation of character that he came across with two hundred cold to keep her quiet.  But don’t breathe this to a soul unless they promise not to tell.  I wouldn’t have it get out that I ever said anything about her for worlds, for, though we are the best of friends, I am leaving her no opening to hand me one.

“Don’t think for a minute that I have a past I am afraid to bring before me.  My fair young life has been as quiet and uneventful as an old mill stream.  Fact.  You see, still water runs deep and the race is not always to the swift.  And goodness knows I would have no one say that about me.  I’m a Bohemian, whatever that is.  Lots of dames I know have pasts.  Why, every time you mention Sid Eusons to Laura she nearly coughs up a spasm and to even breathe medicine show to a certain leading man I know he will immediately cut you off his calling list.

“The benefit business is not as prosperous this year as it has been heretofore.  I know several parties that have actually lost money on them.

“Now that Lent is over I am going to have a good time.  I always observe Lent some way.  This year I swore off refusing drinks or suppers.  Wilbur and I expect to be made one as soon as he locates his next season’s job.  He’s got one in sight that looks pretty good.

“A certain party has signed for it, but Wilbur gets it if this party drops dead, so now Wilbur is following him around telling him that he looks poorly.  We ought to be very happy when we get married, for Wilbur will be out ahead of a show all season and I will be here in New York.  What more would a happy bridal couple desire?

“Well, I must toddle along, as the hour is late and my automobile is getting impatient.

“Be good, and don’t forget that you promised on your word and honor to take six tickets for the Friar Festival from me.  Say, party, if you need any change give me the office and I will slip it to you.”

Sabrina makes a few remarks concerning a pink-whiskered bark who is trying to convert the merry-merry and questions the propriety of going on an extended yachting cruise with a grass widow for a chaperone.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Say” remarked Sabrina, as we reached her table the other evening.  “Did you hear the gladsome tidings?  Some purple-whiskered bark is going to caper in this country from dear old Lunnon and deal out religion to the Fluffs of the merry merry.  Can you surpass it?

“He is going to slip it to us in our tea.  Like knockout drops, I guess.  Gee, can you see him distributing tracts to that mob.  It’s a cinch that they will make good curl papers, anyway.

“The only way to convert most of these dames is to wait until the morning after a birthday party and work the remorse gag before they have a chance to get a bracer for their hangover.