"It does concern me, and I want it answered."
"Really?" she said, angry that she could not evade him. "When the sultan throws the handkerchief, I supposed he never had a doubt of its reception."
"Throws the handkerchief? I don't understand."
"It is a Turkish custom, which has been copied the world over by those favored individuals whom fate or fortune has made irresistible; only the handkerchief must be gold-edged."
"If you are going to talk nonsense," the young man said, offended, "I may as well go."
"Nonsense!" Patty retorted, giving her umbrella a flirt. "Do you call it nonsense? It is the most serious thing I know. However, it is no matter. I am hindering you. Good-night."
"Wait," he said. "You promised me an answer long ago, and you've never given it to me."
"An answer? An answer to what?"
"You know what," he said doggedly. "To the question I asked you the day we went to Samoset."