"Well," Henrietta replied good-humouredly, "if I had not known before that you were trying somehow to abash me I should know it now. Of course I＇m easy game—I was brought up with such different customs and ideas. I＇m not used to your arbitrary standards,and I＇ve never been spoken to in America as you have spoken to me. If a gentleman conversing with me over there were to speak to me like that I shouldn＇t know what to make of it. We take everything more naturally over there, and, after all, we＇re a great deal more simple. I admit that; I＇m very simple myself.Of course if you choose to laugh at me for it you＇re very welcome; but I think on the whole I would rather be myself than you. I＇m quite content to be myself; I don＇t want to change. There are plenty of people that appreciate me just as I am. It＇s true they＇re nice fresh free-born Americans!" Henrietta had lately taken up the tone of helpless innocence and large concession."I want you to assist me a little," she went on. "I don＇t care in the least whether I amuse you while you do so; or, rather, I＇m perfectly willing your amusement should be your reward. I want you to help me about Isabel."