"What I mean is, don't you think all those conventional rules about men and women are absurd?"
"As a progressive American, of course I am bound to think all conventional rules are an abomination."
"If you had a brother and I gave him a stick he'd take it."
"Not across his back, I hope."
"Or if I gave your father a book?"
"He'd take books to any extent, I should say."
"And why not you a ring?"
"Who said I wouldn't? But after all this you mustn't try me."
"I was not thinking of it."
"I'm so glad of that! Well;—if you'll promise that you'll never offer me one, I'll promise that I'll take it when it comes. But what does all this mean?"