"That would be a pity," she said gravely; "but I don't think I ought to keep them."
"Why not?"
Socrates is reported to have said that nothing is reasonable which cannot be stated in a reasonable form. Miss Janet Delane would have dissented.
"Of course I like them very much. But—well, we haven't known each other very long, Mr. Bannister."
"You mean it was impertinent?"
"Oh, no. I thought your letter perfect—I did really. But mamma thought——"
"Oh!" said Dale, with brightening face. "You would have kept them?"
"That's not the question," said Janet, smiling. It was pleasant to see Apollo looking less petulant. "But what would people say if they heard I had poems of Mr. Dale Bannister's about me? I should be thought a dangerous person."
"I'll write some which you would like to have."
"I am sure you could, if you only would. Fancy, if you wrote really noble verses—worthy of you!"