I say, Ida," he went on, "what's the matter with going down _there_ ?" "The _Imperial_ ?" exclaimed Ida.

"Well, I guess _not_!" "Why, it's all right, if I'm with you," retorted Vandover, "but if you don't like it we can go anywhere else." "Well, I guess we _will_ go anywhere else," returned Ida, and for the time the subject was dropped.
They took a Sutter Street car and got off at Grant Avenue, having decided to go to Marchand's.
"That's the Imperial down there, isn't it ?" asked Ida as they reached the sidewalk.

Vandover made a last attempt: "I say, Ida, come on, let's go there.

It's all right if I'm with you.
Ah, come along; what's the odds ?" "_No_--_no_--NO," she answered decisively.

"What kind of a girl do you think I am, anyway ?" "Well, I tell you what," answered Vandover, "just come down _by_ the place, and if you don't like the looks of it you needn't go in.