half-astounded

Updated: May 3, 2025

The orderly, who was following, turned his face aside and smiled. The younger officer demurely lifted his cap. The elder, gray, handsome, in a general's uniform, after a moment's half-astounded, half-amused scrutiny of the little figure, gravely raised his gauntleted fingers in a military salute. "I beg your pardon, madam, but I am afraid we never even thought of that.

Bret Harte - Sally Dows