A Social Meteor — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

236 A SOCIAL METEOR. would give a little finger to possess your com- plexion.”’ “Go away with you, you flatterer,” retorted Mrs. Clarke, simpering, “you mustn’t try to spoil an old lady like me. But really now,” bridling, “do you know I was considered a very good-look- ing woman in iy day.” “Of course you were,” said Peter, courteously, “you haven’t gotten over it yet, either. Ah,” with ameaning sigh, “if I were a few years older, and you weren’t so devoted to the memory of the late Mr. Clarke , “How the boy does talk,” she broke in with a vain little smile, “when I’m old enough to be his mother.” “Oh, no; you’re not,” declared Peter, emphati- cally, “not by a good deal.” “Indeed I am, quite.” ‘‘Nonsense,”’ exclaimed Peter. ‘‘Youdon’t look a day over forty.” “Well, I am, a little,’ she admitted, and then resolved to let well enough alone, and not lay her- self open to any closer questioning, she went on, suavely : “Wouldn’t you like to smoke? You can just as well as not, for I always used to sit in the room with poor Frank when he indulged in his evening cigar. You'll find a box in that table drawer.” “Thanks,” replied the artful Peter, “I will if (Eo) comicbooks