"Not that I care in the least what name you give it.

And while we are on a personal subject, I want to ask you to excuse me for laughing at you when I first saw you in that astounding garb.

It was very improper, I know, but the apparition was so sudden I could not help it." I had never met a young lady so thoroughly self-contained as this one.
None of the formalities of society had been observed in regard to our acquaintance with each other, but she talked with me with such an easy grace and with such a gentle assurance that there was no need of introduction or presentation; I felt acquainted with her on the spot.
I had no doubt that her exceptionally gracious demeanor was due to the fact that nobody else in the house seemed inclined to be gracious, and she felt hospitality demanded that something of the kind should be offered me by some one of the family.
We talked together for some minutes longer, and then, apparently hearing something in the house which I did not notice, she rose rather abruptly.
"I must go in," she said; "but don't you stay out here a second longer than you want to." She had left me but a very short time when her father came out on the piazza, his coat buttoned up nearly to his chin.

"I have been detained, sir," he said, "by a man who came to see me on business.

I cannot remain with you out here, for the air affects me; but if you will come in, sir, I shall be glad to have you do so, without regard to your appearance.