She would curl it around either forefinger, drawing it to a fine end.

Then all at once McTeague would make a fearful snorting noise through his nose.

Invariably--though she was expecting this, though it was part of the game--Trina would jump with a stifled shriek.

McTeague would bellow with laughter till his eyes watered.

Then they would recommence upon the instant, Trina protesting with a nervous tremulousness: "Now--now--now, Mac, DON'T; you SCARE me so." But these delicious tete-a-tetes with Trina were offset by a certain coolness that Marcus Schouler began to affect towards the dentist.