"She'd have been clever if she had been able to!" Mrs. Nettlepoint
sighed.

"Dear mother, I have my telegram," Jasper remarked, looking at Grace
Mavis.

"I know you very little," the girl said, returning his observation.

"I've danced with you at some ball--for some sufferers by something or
other."

"I think it was an inundation or a big fire," she a little languidly
smiled. "But it was a long time ago--and I haven't seen you since."

"I've been in far countries--to my loss. I should have said it was a big
fire."

"It was at the Horticultural Hall. I didn't remember your name," said
Grace Mavis.

"That's very unkind of you, when I recall vividly that you had a pink
dress."

"Oh I remember that dress--your strawberry tarletan: you looked lovely in
it!" Mrs. Mavis broke out. "You must get another just like it--on the
other side."

"Yes, your daughter looked charming in it," said Jasper Nettlepoint. Then
he added to the girl: "Yet you mentioned my name to your mother."