George looked a little embarrassed, and she changed the subject with a laugh.
"Come and see us when you can find the time. On the last occasion, you sent your partner over."
"I'd made an appointment with an implement man when I got your father's note. Anyway, I should have fancied that Edgar would have made a pretty good substitute."
"Mr. West is a favorite of ours; he's amusing and excellent company, as far as he goes."
Her tone conveyed a hint that Edgar had his limitations and he was not an altogether satisfactory exchange for his partner; but George laughed.
"He now and then goes farther than I would care to venture."
Flora looked at him with faint amusement.
"Yes," she said. "That's one of the differences between you; you're not assertive. It has struck me that you don't always realize your value."
"Would you like one to insist on it?"
"Oh," she said, "there's a happy medium; but I'm getting rather personal, and I hear the others coming."