"And how goes the courtship ?" Max frowned heavily, without speaking.
"Pardon my asking," said Nick, "and consider the question answered!" Max stopped squarely in front of him.

"It doesn't go," he said briefly.
Nick's glance darted over him for an instant.

"What method have you been employing?
Coercion?
Persuasion?
Indifference?
Or strategy ?" Max's hands showed clenched inside his pockets.

"I'm leaving her alone," he growled.
"Then change your tactics at once!" said Nick.

"Try an advance!" "That's just the mischief.