that made it sound catty when I read it. I've read too many Regency Romances with the aloof sarcastic hero. I need to get Henry's personality straight in my head.

I re-read the whole conversation leading up to the interruption by Mrs. Allen and it does sound much different when maintaing the attitude of a "queer half-witted man". Maybe Henry recognized Mrs. Allen as the type of woman to be very impressed with a male understanding muslin. He's probably spent years learning how to impress "the mamas".