Leave it to men who say _they_ understand us.

It's a mercy somebody does." "Isn't it," nodded Valerie; and they kissed each other, laughing.
"My goodness, it's like the embrace of the two augurs!" said Ogilvy.
"They're laughing at _us_, Kelly!--at you, and me and Harry!--and at man in general!--innocent man!--so charmingly and guilelessly symbolised by us! Stop it, Helene! You make me shiver.

You'll frighten Annan so that he'll _never_ marry if you and Valerie laugh that way at each other." "I wonder," said Helene, quieting him with a fair hand laid lightly on his sleeve, "whether you all would remain and dine with me this evening--just as you are I mean;--and I won't dress--" "I insist _proh pudeur_," muttered Sam.

"I can't countenance any such saturnalia--" "Oh, Sam, do be quiet, dear--" She caught herself up with a blush, and everybody smiled.
"What do we care!" said Sam.

"I'm tired of convention! If I want to call you darling in public, b'jinks! I will! Darling--darling--darling--there!--" "Sam!" "Dearest--" "_Sam!_" "Ma'am ?" Helene looked at Valerie: "There's no use," she sighed, "is there ?" "No use," sighed Valerie, smiling at the man she loved.
THE END.