"Now what are you two men mumblin' and confidin' to each other? You look
for all the world like two old women gossips," she said, with languid
impertinence.
It was easy to see that a privileged and recognized autocrat spoke.
No one had ever questioned Polly Swinger's right to interrupting,
interfering, and saucy criticisms. Secure in the hopeless or chivalrous
admiration of the men around her, she had repaid it with a frankness
that scorned any coquetry; with an indifference to the ordinary feminine
effect or provocation in dress or bearing that was as natural as it was
invincible. No one had ever known Polly to "fix up" for anybody, yet
no one ever doubted the effect, if she had. No one had ever rebuked her
charming petulance, or wished to.
Larry gave a weak, vague laugh. Colonel Swinger as ineffectively assumed
a mock parental severity. "When you see two gentlemen, miss, discussin'
politics together, it ain't behavin' like a lady to interrupt. Better
run away and tidy yourself before the stage comes.
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