"Yes, that's it too." He smiled at her more happily now and in a great kindness.
"In fact, you've sold yourself right out and quite irrevocably?"
"Ah, well, that's not quite the way I should put it. We Merriams have always done it."
"Hereditary slaves!" smiled Winnie. "It's really rather like marriage, as Cyril conceived it. You mustn't have another wife. The regiment's yours. It would be bigamy!"
"Charming people can talk great nonsense," the Major made bold to observe. He was rather chilled again.
"We're veering round in this discussion. Now you're making out that I'm ridiculous!"
He made a gesture of protest. Winnie laughed. "Six days ago I didn't care particularly about you, but I should have married you if you'd asked me."
"So you told me why I'd better not ask you? Yes?"
"Now I like you very particularly, but nothing on earth would induce me to marry you," said Winnie. She shot a quick glance of raillery at him. "So, if you're struggling, you needn't struggle."
"I am struggling rather, Winnie."