I don't say that I feel friendly to him, and I don't say that I feel unfriendly; but if you really think that I was rude to him to-night--" "Just thoughtless, dear.

You didn't see that what you said to-night--" "Well, I'll not say anything of that sort again where he can hear it.
There, isn't that enough ?" This question, delivered with large indulgence, met with no response; for Isabel, still searching his face with her troubled and perplexed gaze, seemed not to have heard it.

On that account, George repeated it, and rising, went to her and patted her reassuringly upon the shoulder.
"There, old lady, you needn't fear my tactlessness will worry you again.
I can't quite promise to like people I don't care about one way or another, but you can be sure I'll be careful, after this, not to let them see it.

It's all right, and you'd better toddle along to bed, because I want to undress." "But, George," she said earnestly, "you would like him, if you'd just let yourself.

You say you don't dislike him.