"Ride over 'em rough-shod, trample them under foot, kick them to one side and then ask them whether they love you or not.

If they say they don't, all you have to do is to behave like a gentleman and leave them alone." She laughed.

"But suppose they were to say they did love you,--what then ?" "That, I understand, is what they generally do say,--and it causes a great deal of trouble for the unfortunate gentleman." "Are you never in earnest, Mr.Percival ?" "I was very much in earnest a moment ago.

You knew how much in earnest I was or you wouldn't have said that nasty thing about Manuel Crust." "I am sorry I said it," she cried.

"It was uncalled for,--and I was deliberately trying to be mean." "I knew it," he said quietly.