"Are you very fond of dogs?" he enquired by way of beginning. He seemed to recognise that it was an awkward beginning for a clever man.
"Very fond of them indeed."
"You must keep the terrier, you know," he went on,still awkwardly.
"I＇ll keep him while I＇m here, with pleasure."
"That will be for a long time, I hope."
"You＇re very kind. I hardly know. My aunt must settle that."
"I＇ll settle it with her—at a quarter to seven." And Ralph looked at his watch again.
"I＇m glad to be here at all," said the girl.