He wished that he understood women better, so that he might the better cope with the vagaries of this one; and so great was his ignorance that he never dreamed that every man since Adam had wished the same thing quite as futilely.
"I'm not going to josh now," she promised, with a quick change of manner.

"You haven't--I _know_ you haven't, but I'll give you a chance to dissemble--you haven't a partner for the dance, have you ?" "No.

Have you ?" Billy did have the courage to say that, though he dared not say more.
"Well, I--I could be persuaded," she hinted shamelessly.
"Persuade nothing! Yuh belong to me, and if anybody tries to throw his loop over your head, why--" Billy looked dangerous; he meant the Pilgrim.
"Thank you." She seemed relieved, and it was plain she did not read into his words any meaning beyond the dance, though Billy was secretly hoping that she would.

"Do you know, I think you're perfectly lovely.
You're so--so _comfortable_.

When I've known you a little longer I expect I'll be calling you Charming Billy, or else Billy Boy.