"My father may live a long time," said Ralph simply. Then, adverting to topics more cheerful, he interrogated Miss Stackpole as to her own future.
Now that Ralph was in trouble she addressed him in a tone of larger allowance and told him that she was much indebted to him for having made her acquainted with Mr. Bantling. "He has told me just the things I want to know," she said; "all the society items and all about the royal family. I can＇t make out that what he tells me about the royal family is much to their credit;but he says that＇s only my peculiar way of looking at it. Well, all I want is that he should give me the facts;I can put them together quick enough, once I＇ve got them." And she added that Mr. Bantling had been so good as to promise to come and take her out that afternoon.