"A little boy mustn't talk about grown-ups, and what they do or say." "What can I talk about, then?
The boys talk about their girls all the time--" "I wish to goodness I had let you go with your dad.

I shall not let you eat with us, anyway, if you don't keep quiet.

You're getting perfectly impossible." Which even Buddy understood as a protest which was not to be taken seriously.
Ford stayed long enough to finish drinking his tea, and then he left the house with what he privately considered a perfectly casual manner.

As a matter of fact, he was extremely self-conscious about it, so that Mrs.
Kate felt justified in mentioning it, and in asking Josephine a question or two--when she had prudently made an errand elsewhere for Buddy.
Josephine, having promptly disclaimed all knowledge or interest pertaining to the affair, Mrs.Kate spoke her mind plainly.
"If Ford's going to fall in love with you, Phenie," she said, "I think you're foolish to encourage Dick.

I believe Ford is falling in love with you.