In Sight of St. Paul's — page 44: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LOVE MAKING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 39 but he had learned too much from past experience to dare to make any complaint. ‘Oh, yes, tip-top,’? he mumbled; ‘'so cozy—so nice—and—and quiet—I—-I——”’ And there he stopped, feeling as confused as an actor who has forgotten his lines. It was really ridiculous, if it had not been pitiful at the same time, to see the great, strong, strapping fellow reduced almost to a state of imbecility by the mischievousness of such a slip of a girl. Gracie saw it all, and was thoroughly enjoying her power, as a woman always does, when she knows she is quite safe to indulge in any freak she pleases. ‘‘Papa arranged it through a suggestion of your American friend, Mr. Sheridan.’ Fletcher looked at her blankly. He was thinking only of her, and had forgotten entirely the subject of the conversation. ‘What?’ “Why, how stupid you are!’’ exclaimed Gracie. ‘’The roof garden, of course. ”’ ‘(Oh, ah, yes, certainly. Good old Sheridan, bless him!”’ - With which rather inconsequent remark he seated himself upon the parapet, a little closer to his fair companion, perhaps, than he ought to have done. “Mr. Fletcher!’’ cried estate reprovingly, moving — away a little. Gom G 00 ESS (ee)