I thrive on praise and good reports." "To begin with, then, that you are an extraordinarily shrewd young man," she replied, "that you speak seven languages perfectly and know your way about every capital of Europe, and that you have ideas of your own as to what is going to happen during the next six or seven years." "You've been moving in well-informed circles," he admitted.

"Now shall I proceed to turn the tables upon you ?" "You can't possibly know anything about me," she declared confidently.
"I could tell you what I've discovered from personal observation," he replied.
"That sounds like compliments or candour," she murmured.

"I'm terrified of both." "Well, I guess I'm not out to frighten you," he assured her.

"I'll keep the secrets of my heart hidden--until after luncheon, at any rate---and just ask you--how you enjoyed your stay in Berlin ?" Maggie's manner changed.

She lowered her voice.
"In Berlin ?" she repeated.
"In the household of the erstwhile leather manufacturer, the present President, Herr Essendorf.