It would not have hurt you." "I cannot gush, Miss Atherton; but I can value your kindness to me, and I do." Raby smiled one of her pleasantest smiles.
"I wish I had half your honesty, Mr Jeffreys.

I am always pretending to be something here which I am not, and I get sick of it.

I wish I were a man." "Why?
Is honesty confined to the male sex ?" "No; I suppose we can be honest too.

But if I was a man I could go and be of some use somewhere; I'm no good to anybody here." Jeffreys coloured up furiously, and looked as if he would run from the spot.

Then, apparently thinking better of it, he looked down at her and said-- "Excuse me, you are." They walked on a little in silence, then Raby said-- "I am so glad, Mr Jeffreys, you managed Percy so well about that smoking yesterday; and how well he took it!" "Of course; he's a gentleman and a fine fellow." "He forgets how much older Mr Scarfe is than he, and he imagines it is a fine thing to do whatever others do.