She was not speaking apologetically.

Her meaning was direct.
The irony on Alan's lips died away.

With a little laugh he bowed again.
"If I am speaking to a daughter of Captain Miles Standish, who came over in the _Mayflower_, I stand reproved," he said.

"You should be an authority on Americanism, if I am correct in surmising your relationship." "You are correct," she replied with a proud, little tilt of her glossy head, "though I think that only lately have I come to an understanding of its significance--and its responsibility.

I ask your pardon again for interrupting you.