Also, to her
surprise, she found that he could be plagued very easily, though she did
not quite dare to at first, in view of his impressive years and
experience.
But once goaded to it, she was astonished to find how suddenly it seemed
to readjust their personal relations--years and experience falling from
his shoulders like a cloak which had concealed a man very nearly her own
age; years and experience adding themselves to her, and at least an inch
to her stature to redress the balance between them.
It had amused him immensely as he realised the subtle change; and it
pleased him, too, because no man of thirty-five cares to be treated _en
grandpere_ by a girl of nineteen, even if she has not yet worn the
polish from her first pair of high-heeled shoes.
"It's astonishing," he said, "how little respect infirmity and age
command in these days."
"I do respect you," she insisted, "especially your infirmity of purpose.
You said you were going to ride by yourself. But, do you know, I don't
believe you are of a particularly solitary disposition; are you?"
He laughed at first, then suddenly his face fell.
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