`` Your face will , if your tongue wo n't . You are n't woman of the world enough yet to hide your feelings , my dear . I heard rumors about Fred and you last year , and it 's my private opinion that if he had not been called home so suddenly and detained so long , something would have come of it , hey ? '' `` That 's not for me to say , '' was Amy 's grim reply , but her lips would smile , and there was a traitorous sparkle of the eye which betrayed that she knew her power and enjoyed the knowledge . `` You are not engaged , I hope ? '' and Laurie looked very elder-brotherly and grave all of a sudden . `` No . '' `` But you will be , if he comes back and goes properly down on his knees , wo n't you ? '' `` Very likely . '' `` Then you are fond of old Fred ? '' `` I could be , if I tried . '' `` But you do n't intend to try till the proper moment ? Bless my soul , what unearthly prudence ! He 's a good fellow , Amy , but not the man I fancied you 'd like . '' `` He is rich , a gentleman , and has delightful manners , '' began Amy , trying to be quite cool and dignified , but feeling a little ashamed of herself , in spite of the sincerity of her intentions . `` I understand . Queens of society ca n't get on without money , so you mean to make a good match , and start in that way ? Quite right and proper , as the world goes , but it sounds odd from the lips of one of your mother 's girls . '' `` True , nevertheless . '' A short speech , but the quiet decision with which it was uttered contrasted curiously with the young speaker .
XXXXX felt this instinctively and laid himself down again , with a sense of disappointment which he could not explain .
Amy Fred Laurie feelings home knees right something speaker year