"
"I'd like to know what you mean by _the_ American girl. There are all
sorts of girls among us, as there are among girls of other nations:
pretty girls and plain ones, bright girls and stupid ones, clever girls
and silly ones, smart girls and dowdy girls. Though I will say, we've got
a larger proportion of smart-looking, well-dressed girls than any other
country. But then we make up for that by so many of us having frightful
_ya-ya_ voices and raw pronunciations. As for our wonderful cleverness,
we have the assurance to talk about things we know nothing of, in such a
way as to deceive some people for awhile. The girls of other nations
haven't, and that's the chief difference."
Bagley looked as if he knew not exactly where he stood in the argument,
or exactly what the argument was about; but he returned to the business
of impressing Florence.
"Well, I'm certain Miss Kenby doesn't talk about things she knows nothing
of. If all American girls were like her, there'd be no question which
nation had the most beautiful and sensible women."
Florence winced at the crude directness. "You are too kind," she said,
perfunctorily.
"As for me," he went on, "I've got my opinion of these European gentlemen
that marry for money."
"We all have, in this country, I hope," said Edna; "except, possibly, the
few silly women that become the victims."
"I should be perfectly willing," pursued Bagley, magnanimously, watching
for the effect on Florence, "to marry a girl without a cent.
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