I
wonder why Cambridge is more like a girls' school than a public
school is? I suppose they are more sentimental. I do loathe that."
When they got back they found Maud at tea; she had been there all
the afternoon; she greeted Howard very pleasantly, but there was a
touch of embarrassment created by the presence of Jack, who
regarded her severely and called her "Miss."
"He's got some grudge against me," said Maud to Howard. "He always
has when he calls me Miss."
"What else should I call you?" said Jack; "Mr. Kennedy has been
telling me that one should call people by whatever name seems
natural. You are a Miss to-day, and no mistake. You are at some
game or other!"
"Now, Jack, be quiet!" said Mrs. Graves; "that is how the British
paterfamilias gets made. You must not begin to make your womankind
uncomfortable in public. You must not think aloud. You must keep up
the mysteries of chivalry!"
"I don't care for mysteries," said Jack, "but I'll behave. My
father says one mustn't seethe the kid in its mother's milk. I will
leave Miss to her conscience."
"Did you enjoy yourself?" said Mrs. Graves to Howard.
"Yes, I'm afraid I did," said Howard, "very much indeed."
"Some book I read the other day," said Mrs. Graves, "stated that
men ought to do primeval things, eat under-done beef, sleep in
their clothes, drink too much, kill things. It sounds disgusting;
but I suppose you felt primeval?"
"I don't know what it was," said Howard.
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