But for now--it is very amusing." "Playing with fire ?" "Bah!" Elfrida returned, going back to her other mood.
"I'm not inflammable.

But-to that extent, if you like, I value what you and the poets are pleased to call love.
It's part of the game; one might as well play it all.
It's splendid to win--anything.

It's a kind of success." "Oh, I know," she went on after an instant.

"I have done it before--I shall do it again, often! It is worth doing--to sit within three feet of a human being who would give all he possesses just to touch your hand--and to tacitly dare him to do it." "Stop, Elfrida!" "Shan't stop, my dear.

Not only to be able to check any such demonstration yourself, with a movement, a glance, a turn of your head, but without even a sign, to make your would-be adorer check it himself! And to feel as still and calm and superior to it all! Is that nothing to you ?" "It's less than nothing.