She says he is a dear.

Do you agree with her ?" Here I caught Miss Gibson's eye, in which was a mischievous twinkle, and noted a little deeper pink in her cheeks.
"Well," I answered dubiously, "I have never considered my colleague in the capacity of a dear, but I have a very high opinion of him in every respect." "That, no doubt, is the masculine equivalent," said Miss Gibson, recovering from the momentary embarrassment that Mrs.Hornby's artless repetition of her phrase had produced.

"I think the feminine expression is more epigrammatic and comprehensive.

But to return to the object of Dr.Jervis's visit.

Would you let him have the 'Thumbograph,' aunt, to show to Dr.Thorndyke ?" "Oh, my dear Juliet," replied Mrs.Hornby, "I would do anything--anything--to help our poor boy.