He did not know the ballad of the roses of yesteryear, but if he had it would have appealed to him.

He did not care to rifle them, willy-nilly; but should their temperaments or tastes incline them in his direction, they would not suffer vastly in their lives because of him.

The fact was, the man was essentially generous where women were concerned.
"How nice of you!" he commented, smiling.

"I like that." And then, seeing a note-book and pencil beside her, he asked, "What are you doing ?" "Just sketching." "Let me see ?" "It's nothing much," she replied, deprecatingly.

"I don't draw very well." "Gifted girl!" he replied, picking it up.