"And why not, little one?
Because you think that I have not the strength ?" Chris looked up at him speculatively.

She felt no shyness; he was not the sort of person with whom she could feel shy.

He was too kindly, too protecting, too altogether charming, for that.

But he was of slender build, and she could not help entertaining a very decided doubt as to his physical powers.
"I am much heavier--and much older--than you think," she remarked at length.
He laughed boyishly, as if she had made a joke.

"_Mais c'est drole, cela_! Me, I have no thoughts upon the subject, mademoiselle.