Chapter 4
Betty took her time getting up to freshen up and was starting to get worried about her escorts, neither of whom was answering their phones at the moment.
Finally, she went back to the table and saw DJ, sitting, looking dejected, but nonetheless wolfing down his food. She rushed over, "DJ! What's wrong? I was about to give up on you both. That waiter thought I was having an imaginary date. It brought back terrible memories of my twenty-fourth birthday and getting stood up. Where is Daniel?"
"He went to try and talk to Valerie for me. He said to come back in here and tell you he's sorry we're taking so long. I give up. Women...are ridiculous!
Sorry, not you, Betty. You're not like those silly girls my age. You're kind. And sweet. And forgiving. You even forgave my stupid Uncle Daniel after he acted like a small, spoiled child."
She smiled, "Which time? And how do you know I did? Maybe I'm still upset with him, actually."
"About...leaving London? Yes, that was very idiotic of him! Even he knows that now. He does regret it, of course. He cares very much about you, you know."
"I care about him, too, DJ. He's a good man. I know...he didn't mean to hurt me. So, tell me, what's going on with your girlfriend?
Why do you have your uncle trying to talk to her on your behalf? Why is she angry with you? Did you do something to upset her?"
DJ sighed, "YES! She is furious! But for absolutely no reason! She completely misunderstood something I said. I simply told her I thought another girl in our class was reasonably attractive when she asked me about the 'new girl' in class.
I never said I was attracted TO her, though. I was only describing her. There is a difference!"
Betty laughed and shook her head, putting her hand on his, "Not to a girl, DJ. If you say anything about another girl being pretty, what we hear, is you like her.
Maybe better than us, even. I know, it may seem silly, but it's just how our brains are wired. We're all a little crazy and very sensitive about our looks. And extremely competitive."
He made a face. "I can understand her being sensitive. But...teenage girls are so dramatic! Everything makes them cry!
You cannot say hello to them without them bursting into tears! It makes no sense to me. But women like you are not so insane like this."
She shrugged, "Hormones. The same reason teenaged boys think about sex all the time, keeps girls overly emotional, I'm afraid. Sorry, DJ. You can't fight it. It's biology."
While Betty was trying to explain girls to DJ, Daniel was speaking on behalf of his nephew to Valerie.
"I'm sure DJ didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Valerie. All the way here, all he could talk about is how beautiful you were and what a fantastic dancer you are.
In fact, he kind of tricked me into coming with me to London. He told me he was just tagging along, to help me convince the woman I love to forgive me for being a big uh...chicken and not telling her how I feel, and running off to Paris instead of staying here, like I should have when I followed her from New York six months ago.
But then he admitted that a big reason he wanted to come to London...well, the main reason was just to see you. He said he couldn't wait till you got back to Paris to see you."
Valerie was still to angry to hear Daniel's words about DJ, "You followed your girlfriend here from New York? That's so...romantic! She's so lucky!"
"Yeah...thanks. But, I don't think she sees it that way. I sort of left her to do her new job of running a magazine, all by herself. Even though she helped me for the past four years do the same thing back in New York. I was...kind of a jerk. I should have supported her."
"You see? You are man enough to admit it when you make a mistake! Why can't my Daniel do this, as well? He can't understand why him describing some other girl as beautiful would make me jealous? He is...such a…"
"Maladroit?" Daniel offered.
"Oui! No, worse...un crétin stupide!"
"Stupid cretin? That doesn't sound good! Valerie, where are you supposed to be, anyway? Did you sneak here to see my nephew?"
She nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Yes. I did. Now, my father is going to be very angry with me and all to see some silly boy...who doesn't know how to speak to a lady respectfully!"
Daniel sighed, making a face and leading her back towards the restaurant. "Okay, first of all, let's call your father. And let him know you're safe. And that you're with a friend from school.
I can speak to him if you need me to. How long have you been gone?"
She looked at her watch, "About an hour. It took me a bit to find this restaurant. Then, I tried to call DJ, to let him know I was here, but didn't see him. I was too embarrassed to go inside and look at all the tables to find him."
"It's okay. I understand. I think your dad's of course going to be angry that you took off and worried about you. But, I'm sure he'll also be glad that you're okay, Valerie."
She hugged Daniel, much to his surprise, "Thank you, Monsieur Meade! You are very kind. DJ is lucky to have such a sweet uncle."
Daniel tried to pull away, "Yeah. Thanks, Valerie. So...let's go inside the restaurant and talk to your dad, then maybe you and DJ can try and work this…"
A very large, muscular man pulled the young girl away from Daniel, "Just what in the hell are you doing with my daughter, you pervert? Valerie, get off him! Are you crazy, girl? This man is old enough to be your father! Your mother will kill us both! And him! Which sounds like a very good idea to me. How dare you touch my daughter! She is only sixteen!"
Valerie's father was poised above Daniel, ready to punch him, but Valerie tried to speak up for Daniel, "But, daddy! I was just...hugging him because he helped me and listened to me for a change. Unlike you...or DJ!"
"Who is this DJ you're always speaking about? And of course he listened to you. He wants to...just what is your reasoning for fraternizing with my daughter? Were you planning on kidnapping her for being a silly teenage girl?"
"NO! Sir...I promise you, your daughter hugged me. I didn't touch her! She came here to see my nephew, who's inside. She snuck away to talk to him. Then they got into an argument.
I just got done telling her that she needed to call you and let you know she was safe. I assure you, the minute I found out she had run away to see my nephew, I was going to have her contact you."
"Daddy, he's telling the truth! DJ is the boy I like at school. This man, who is the uncle from America he was named after was just telling me I should call you. He is not a perverted person. His nephew is the one I'm angry with right now."
"Did his nephew touch you?"
"NO! He didn't even try! That's the problem! He said he thinks some other girl is pretty!"
The man sighed and rolled his eyes, "Valerie! You scared me half to death, running away like that!"
Daniel took a deep breath, relieved that it looked as if this man wasn't going to kill him, at least for the moment, "Sir, I believe both my nephew and Valerie here were texting back and forth. They seem to have a little crush going and I apologize for any part he may have played in encouraging your daughter to sneak away from you to come here and speak to him.
If you'd care to join us, maybe we can all calm down. I'd be happy to have you and Valerie dine with my nephew and I. We just met up with a dear friend of mine from New York. Have you eaten?"
"No. I was looking for my daughter to ask her where she wanted to go when I saw her room was empty."
Valerie pouted, her arms crossed over her chest, "Yes, after you finally got off the phone from talking to your people at work! I got bored. And I THOUGHT DJ sounded so romantic, coming here to see me."
"Didn't he come to see his uncle, Valerie?"
"Well, actually, sir…"
The man extended his hand, "The name is Brian, sir. Brian Ryles."
"Nice to meet you, Brian. I'm Daniel Meade."
"Meade. Sounds familiar. Do you have family here in the UK?"
"Not that I know of. I grew up in New York. I came to London…"
Valerie smiled, leaning on her father's arm, "He followed his true love when she got a job here, Daddy. Isn't that the dreamiest, most romantic thing you ever heard of?"
"Followed her? Well...I suppose."
Daniel saw the expression on the man's face and put up his hand, "She knew I came here to see her. I wasn't...stalking her or anything, I promise you. I've just been having a little hard time…."
"He's too shy to tell her how much he loves her."
"I see. But you told my daughter?"
"Not really. I...well, I guess I did. But I didn't mean to, actually. I came here to tell her.
I mean her, Betty, not your daughter. Then...this whole thing with my nephew and your daughter started...oh, God, Betty! She's waiting inside. She's going to think I ditched her. Can we please go in? Are we...good?"
The man nodded, smirking, "Yes, yes. I believe you weren't hitting on my sixteen year old daughter now, Mr. Meade. You evidently have problems even declaring your feelings to a woman your own age. I assume this Betty is your own age, and not also a teenager?"
"No! Betty's not...a teenager, I promise. She's well...she's younger than me, but...she's definitely NOT a teenager! Our table's towards the back.
Uh, listen...can we please not bring up the whole thing about me...following her here because I...uh...love her? She just made it pretty clear that she will only ever see me as friends. So...it's obvious to me she's not interested. I don't want to embarrass myself, and make her feel uncomfortable."
Valerie furrowed her brow, "Friends? She only wants to be your friend? Is she blind? Or stupid? You're so sweet and handsome!"
Daniel's eyes widened, and he blushed, glancing at Valerie's father, worriedly.
Brian rolled his eyes and led his daughter in front of him, "Valerie, honey. Don't say things like that to grown men, okay? You make them….nervous that their father's will hit them. It's alright, Mr. Meade. I know my daughter is a bit...boy crazy! She scares the hell out of me constantly.
You see how lucky you are that you are only dealing with a nephew and not a son and a boy is so much easier! Especially since Valerie lives with her mum in Paris. I have no control over her erratic behavior! It's positively maddening!"
"Erratic? I'm not erratic. You and your stupid English attitudes towards love! Your so...British sometimes! No wonder mama left you. You have no romance, no joi de vivre, no...heart!"
"Well, I'm sorry, young lady. But you and your mother have to learn life is about more than love and romance and...shoes!"
"Please don't keep talking to me as if I'm twelve, daddy! I'm a grown woman."
"No, dear. you're actually not. Not quite yet."
Daniel smiled, thinking he was actually glad he had DJ, and not a niece to deal with. But as they approached the table, they saw Betty sitting.
Daniel looked around and was about to ask her where his nephew was when DJ appeared from under the table, with a pleased look on his face. Daniel's eyes crossed, and Valerie's widened with anger and jealousy, "DJ!" the both yelled out.
DJ produced the Mode issue in his hand and looked up as he heard his name. He seemed slightly puzzled at their reaction and somewhat relieved to see Valerie. "Valerie! You came! Daniel, you got her to see reason? Hello, Mr. Ryles. I've heard a lot about you."
The man looked at DJ disdainfully, "Yes, and I've heard quite a lot about you, young man. None of it good, I'm afraid. Just what were you doing under the table?"
Betty stood, blushing, "He found the magazine my friend Daniel brought for me to see from...hello! You must be...Valerie's father?"
"Yes, I'm Brian Ryles. You must be this Betty I've heard of...sorry, didn't catch a last name?" Brian extended his hand to Betty.
"Oh, sorry. It's Suarez. Betty Suarez, Mr. Ryles. Pleased to meet you. DJ was just looking for the magazine that I dropped under the table earlier. I hadn't gotten the chance to read the article my friend Daniel wrote yet but wanted me to."
"You didn't read it yet?" Daniel asked.
"No. I was just about to. DJ and I have been talking about his friend Valerie."
"Friend? Is that what he called me? I'm just a friend now?" Valerie pouted at DJ, who shook his head and rolled his eyes, sighing.
He turned to Betty, "Do you see what I'm talking about? She is ridiculous! She gets her feelings hurt so easily! This is not a terrible thing, Valerie. What do you want her to say we are? Boyfriend, girlfriend? It is not true. Not yet, anyway. Not ever if you keep acting so...dramatic.
I can't believe I ever wanted to ask you to my mother's wedding! I even tricked my uncle into bringing me here just so I could ask you this. Now you act like a crazy person and cause all these problems! Thank goodness Betty is a real woman and can try to explain to me how you have silly girl hormones so you can't help acting like a crazy person sometimes. I forgive you. You can't help your mood swings."
Daniel and Brian both made a face, wincing on DJ's behalf, as they sat down, waiting for the fireworks.
Daniel had already helped Betty sit back down. He saw the tears coming, and the expression on Valerie's face, "You forgive me? My mood swings….you call me a crazy person?
I would tell you it was sweet of you to trick your uncle Daniel into bringing you here, and to want to ask me to your mother's wedding.
But then, you go and spoil it all by saying you don't want me to be your girlfriend and you insult me by calling me insane! Not to mention you are doing who knows what under the table with this….old woman!"
Betty's eyes shot up, "I'm sorry? Old woman?"
Daniel stifled a laugh, and leaned over to whisper, "Just...let them fight it out, Betty. I've learned with teenagers not to interfere."
Betty rolled her eyes, "Oh, right. Thank you for the insight, Mister know it all. I know nothing about teens and their drama. I mean, you've lived with your nephew for six whole months now, right? I've only lived with Justin since birth!"
"Do I sense sarcasm, Miss Suarez? You're a fine one to yell at me. I'm the one who should be asking you what's going on between you and my young sixteen year old nephew! I leave you two alone and you seem awfully chummy with him, Mrs. Robinson!"
"Oh, grow up, Daniel! You know he wasn't...doing anything under the table. Don't be ridiculous! You should talk! You know the whole restaurant saw you hugging DJ's little girlfriend, Daniel. Is this Petra all over again?"
"What? She hugged me. Why do you care, anyway?"
"I don't!"
"Great. Me, either. Well, except...stay away from my stupid nephew. I think he has a crush on you."
Brian was sitting back, enjoying the show, while he ordered from the waiter. He helped himself to the bread on the table, and pointed to Betty's meal.
"I believe I'll have the roast beef, like the lady's having. Eventually. It looks quite tasty. Oh, and a glass of Pinot when you get a chance, please. Actually, make that a bottle. I have a feeling it's going to be a long, interesting evening!"
DJ had heard Daniel's accusation and saw Valerie looking at him with daggers, "I do not! Daniel! Shut up! You are the one with the crush and you know it!"
"DJ...you shut up!"
"Why should I? This is all your fault! If you would not be such a little mouse, and would simply tell the woman you…"
Daniel shoved a piece of bread in his nephew's mouth. DJ rolled his eyes, and chewed the bread, then handed Betty the magazine he had retrieved for her, pushing Daniel's hand aside, and turning it to the page, "Here, Betty. Read this. If he doesn't want you to...perhaps you should read it out loud to us all. That will silence his bafoonery and cowardice!"
Daniel reddened, "DJ! Knock it off! Betty, listen, I'd really rather you not read that...right now, okay?"
She looked at him and back to DJ, who nodded and smiled, encouragingly, "Betty...read it. Now. Please? We'd all like to hear it. It will...help to make many things clear. I promise."
Daniel shook his head, "DJ...you don't understand...she only sees me...it's going to make her feel uncomfortable. I don't want to do that. Betty, please...don't"
She shook her head, "Daniel, you really shouldn't be embarrassed about your writing. I told you before, you're a great writer. You don't give yourself enough credit!
You've come a long way. I always enjoy your letters from the editor."
"Just...fine, okay. But, read it to yourself, please."
"Daniel...don't be such a baby! I'm sure it's fine! Besides, clearly, DJ has already read it before. He's proud of you. It's fine! You need to be willing to put yourself out there more. That's the only way you're going to get a job here.'
"You're seeking employment here, in the UK?" Brian asked.
"Well, yeah. I have a few interviews finally next week, actually."
"It's taken you how long?"
"Well...I got here six months ago, but…"
Betty interjected, "But then he left right away again."
"Back to the states?"
"No, he…
"Betty, I can speak for myself, okay? I went to Paris to spend some time with DJ here and my sister."
"Yeah, it's interesting. He comes here to 'start over' and 'see what he can find' in London, but then two weeks later, he runs off to Paris, and hangs out with his sister and nephew, who he hasn't seen in two years! Don't you think that's...bizare?"
"Betty! Cut it out, will you?"
DJ grabbed the magazine out of Betty's hands, "Mon dieu! This is maddening! Betty, just listen! Daniel...please, let her know the truth. It's time. It's been six months since you wrote this. Do you feel any different about her?
Did you not tell me she has completely bewitched you during that time? Ever since her sister's wedding? I know what I'm doing. Let me help you."
Daniel put his head in his hands and Betty's face flushed when she heard DJ say she had 'bewitched him'.
DJ began reading…".the truth is, the field of fashion is one that is both fast and fierce, and sometimes you have to go through a hundred years worth of attitudes in a day to find the one that suits the precise pulse of our culture at that given point. It's an amazing and arduous process, but, to be even more honest, it's one for which I admit I am not a natural fit, one for which Wilhelmina is.
Since I've experienced so much attitude in my time at Mode, I'd like to posit an observation: One thing that is often lost in the changing of an attitude is the cause for that change. This is best understood when you consider attitudes on a personal level. I ask you, dear reader, to think back to a time when you experienced a major shift in your life.
Was it an external change, something that happened outside of you, and forced a change of attitude to help you adapt to the future? Perhaps you saw a friend demonstrate a prowess that cast her in a new light. Heck, maybe it was as simple as your friend getting a makeover.
Or perhaps that friend was undergoing her own life change, one in which she would no longer be present in your life, compelling you to make your own change to keep her in it, even if it were in a new context.
Just as important: Maybe the change was an internal one. Maybe you realized you were no longer interested in maintaining your status quo.
Perhaps you wanted to try new challenges not only in your professional life, but also in your personal one. Or maybe one day something just changed inside you in the way you saw that good friend, causing you to want her to be more than, well, just a friend.
As you experience our One Hundred Years of Attitude Issue, I ask that you consider not only the attitudes themselves, but the causes that precipitated their change and coming to be.
Often the changes in attitude that are the most powerful are rooted in causes that come from without and within. When that unusual synergy occurs, love is often the result. And take it from me: Love is the one attitude that never goes out of fashion.
- Daniel Meade, Editor-in-chief
Betty's face had gone from a look of pride and interest to growing confusion and finally utter shock. She looked at Daniel, who had his eyes closed during most of DJ's reading, then bit his lip and looked at Betty.
She shook her head, "So...your mother...what she said at my going away party about you...you not knowing why it was so hard for you to...to...lose me. She was right? You...you...love me? Me? But...I don't understand, Daniel. Then why did you leave here and never say a word? Why didn't you say anything when we went out?"
Valerie had listened enrapt as DJ read. Now she looked at Betty as if she was an idiot. "What's to understand? The man clearly adores you, God knows why…"
"Valerie! Stop it! This is none of your business, young lady. Apologize to Miss Suarez. You speak out of turn. You are far too impulsive. This is not our place to interfere in these people's lives. Perhaps ...we should allow you two some privacy? I can take the young ones elsewhere while you...speak?"
Betty took her napkin on the table and shook her head, "No thank you, Mr. Ryles."
"Brian, please."
"Brian. Thank you, but let the kids stay and eat their meal. Daniel and I are going to go take a walk. We'll be back soon. Come on. We need to talk, Mister!"
Betty pulled Daniel up from his seat. He took a quick bite of the food on his plate, as he made a face, "See ya, guys. DJ...you're so dead!"
DJ smirked, and leaned back, tossing the magazine on the table and shaking his head, as he watched Betty pull his uncle out of the restaurant quickly, "It had to be done! It was getting to be ridiculous!
The man has been a wreck for the past six months! And who has had to listen to his whining and moaning, "Oh, Betty! I miss Betty! He is like a small, whimpering baby. I would never pine like that over a woman."
"Really? I thought it was terribly romantic. He followed her hear all the way from America and left his job, his home, just to tell her he loves her. Then he got scared. Afraid she would reject him. It's like Romeo and Juliet! Your uncle is so charming, DJ. You should be more like him."
DJ made a face, "You want some old fossil? What, you have a crush on my uncle, now? Take him! See if I care!
I am not allowed to say one observation about another girl, and yet you can hug my uncle and moon over him like some kind of silly fool and it's supposed to be okay with me? I say...bon chance with him!
May you both be very happy together! You see, I had to intervene, or he would be a hundred years' old before he has the courage to say to her that he loves her!"
"Valerie...DJ is right, you stay away from his uncle, do you hear me? You and your silly crushes! That man is my age, for heaven's sakes! DJ here seems to be a quite sensible young man. That was...very nice what you did for your uncle, DJ. My ex-wife speaks highly of you."
Valerie rolled her eyes, "I don't want to date a boy anymore."
"You cannot date a man. You're not yet a woman."
"You mean like your precious Betty? She is beautiful. But she is cruel and obviously very stupid if she doesn't see how lucky she is to have a man like Daniel. Daniel senior, I mean. He is a man."
"I'm as close to a man as you deserve right now, Valerie. I do...care for you. At least, when you stop being stupid and sighing over a man your father's age. You should listen to your father. He is concerned for your welfare."
"You sound...boring. It would be nice for you to think of impulsive, romantic things to do to surprise me. I wish someone would fly across an ocean for me to declare their love for me!"
DJ sighed, and moved onto the chair on the other side of her, taking her hand, "I am only sixteen years old, Valerie. I cannot fly across an ocean. This makes no sense! I did trick my uncle and lie to my mother for you and have hoped to ask you to come to my mother's wedding.
I drove from Paris this morning, when I could have slept or played video games like many boys my age. I listened to my uncle and his problems and silly excuses all day, all the while, thinking of you and your lovely face.
I'm sorry if that's not enough for you. But it's all I can offer you right now. Perhaps, when I am older, you will care for me then.
Although, by then, I may no longer be interested in you if you don't appreciate me for who I am and see how much I am trying. I am doing my best. I cannot be what I am not. I cannot be a man yet. You either accept me for what I am...or you don't."
Valerie's father smiled, and watched as his daughter hugged DJ and kissed him on the cheek, "I do, DJ. You're right. We're still young. You will grow up to be very much like…"
"My uncle? Je suppose. I was named after him."
She smiled, and put her arms around his neck, starting to kiss him, but her father pulled her away, "Eat your dinner, young lady. You've caused enough problems today! You…have my blessing to date DJ.
But you have to keep your curfew. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Daddy."
Daniel looked at Betty's face, trying to decipher the expression that he didn't recognize, "Betty? Uh...listen, I'm really sorry DJ read that letter out loud like that...I didn't mean…"
"Didn't mean for what? Me to read it? You must have at some point figured I would actually read it, though, right, Daniel? Otherwise, you wouldn't have written it.
I'm sorry, I'm just really confused. Why would you write something so...so...sweet and then just…"
"Leave you here alone again?"
"Yes."
He took a deep breath, and held her arms, "I don't know, really, Betty. I just got scared, I guess. I wrote that letter, determined to let you know. To let the whole world know how I felt about you. But then...life happened.
I came here and when I was about to tell you how I felt that night we went out, you looked at me, your eyes full of hope and optimism, and said how much you always valued our 'friendship', and I got cold feet!
The same thing happened earlier. I was afraid you'd only ever see me as your friend, and the last thing I wanted to do was… jeopardize our friendship.
You're so important to me. I don't want to lose you altogether, just because my feelings have changed. Especially if yours...well, haven't. They...haven't. Have they?"
She was clearly still in shock, "You love me?"
"Will you stop asking that...like I just said I was a secret agent or something. Yes. I do. I...well, I have for a long time, now. I just...didn't know how to tell you. And now...I messed things up. Again. I'm sorry. I just…."
She smiled, looking down at his hand, and intertwined it with her own, "You still haven't said it, you know."
He started to smile, seeing her reaction, "You...uh...want to hear me say it? Really?"
She rolled her eyes, "Yes, you idiot!"
He grinned, and pulled away, making a motion to go back towards the restaurant, several blocks back from the small area of trees she had drug him to, "Well, if you're just going to call me names, I'm going back. I don't need to stand here and take this kind of abuse. I have DJ for that!"
She grabbed his hands, "Daniel Meade! Get back here!"
"Or what? What will you do to me if I go?"
"Never talk to you again."
"Really? Well...we can't have that. I missed you, Betty." he slid his arms around her waist, brushing back a strand of hair from her forehead, and took off her glasses, to look into her eyes, "God...you're beautiful! You do know I think that, right? I've always thought you were.
I just…took you for granted, I guess. I'm so sorry, Betty. You have no idea how sorry I am. Sorry that I didn't realize how amazing and wonderful you are when I had you right there, in front of me for four years. I should have told you years ago how much you meant to me. I see how stupid I was now."
She bit her lip, swallowing, "Daniel…"
He shook his head, putting his fingers on her lips, "Betty...let me say this. I...I've put it off for six months. I ran away to hide in Paris because I was scared. Like DJ and Alexis and my mom all told me. I was a total coward. I didn't know how to face you and tell you...tell you that I'm in love with you."
Betty's eyes widened, "You...are?"
"I am."
She continued to stare into his eyes, mesmerized for a moment. He laughed, "So? Oh, uh maybe I should...show you, huh?" He bowed his head down to kiss her, pulling her closer to him.
She felt his tongue and was drawn into his kiss immediately. After a few minutes, she began to feel faint, as if her knees were buckling under her. She moved her hands up to his shoulders, holding on for dear life.
She found herself moaning into the kiss, which spurred Daniel onto to deepening it even more. Finally, they both came up for air.
She blinked, and asked shyly, "Can I...have my glasses back?"
He nodded, looking flushed and embarrassed, "Sure, Betty. Sorry. Here!"
He handed them back to her, but she took them back off, blushing, "Their...all fogged up."
He grinned, "Sorry."
"It's...okay. I...that was...nice, Daniel. Why haven't you ever done that before now?"
He shook his head, "I have no idea. Apparently, I'm a maladroit."
"A what?"
"A nincompoop."
She smiled, "Well, that I knew, already."