"She did look ripping in that white frock," he said, "with her
hair--"

"Stop," said I firmly. "She looked just like a lot of other
girls."

"I'm hanged if she did!" said Hilary.

Then he glanced at me with a puzzled sort of expression.

"I say, old man, weren't you ever that way yourself?" he asked.

I hailed a hansom cab.

"Because, if you were, you know, you'd understand how a fellow
remembers every--"

"Good night," said I. "At least I suppose you're not coming to
the club?"

"Well, I think not," said Hilary. "Ta-ta, old fellow. Sorry we
bored you. Of course, if a man has never--"

"Never!" I groaned. "A score of times!"

"Well, then, doesn't it--?

"No," said I. "It's just that that makes stories like yours so
infernally--"