Not at all." "Of course yes, though, you mean!" "Not at all.

It's been most kind of your mother and father and you." "Do you know," she said, "you've never once looked at me for more than a second at a time the whole evening?
And it seemed to me I looked rather nice to-night, too!" "You always do," he murmured.
"I don't see how you know," she returned; and then stepping closer to him, spoke with gentle solicitude: "Tell me: you're really feeling wretchedly, aren't you?
I know you've got a fearful headache, or something.

Tell me!" "Not at all." "You are ill--I'm sure of it." "Not at all." "On your word ?" "I'm really quite all right." "But if you are----" she began; and then, looking at him with a desperate sweetness, as if this were her last resource to rouse him, "What's the matter, little boy ?" she said with lisping tenderness.

"Tell auntie!" It was a mistake, for he seemed to flinch, and to lean backward, however, slightly.

She turned away instantly, with a flippant lift and drop of both hands.