“Yes,” agreed Selden; “men are more precious over here, more cherished. You have always had more women than men. With us, as with every frontier nation, it has been the other way—and we still preserve the frontier tradition—it is the women who are at a premium!”
“It is deeper than that!” protested madame; “it is in the heart.”
“We also have women like that,” said Selden quietly; “women who would do anything for the man they love. You do not see them over here—not often; they are too busy raising their children. They do not figure in the papers, for their life is spent in their homes. Only they demand more of a man than you do. They do not realize what half-tamed creatures we are, and sometimes they demand too much. I think you understand men better.”
“Ah, yes,” laughed Miss Fayard, shaking her finger at Davis. “We understand them! Never believe that I will not understand you! When you lie to me, I shall know it—but you will never suspect that I know—not until long, long afterwards. And then you will be very, very much ashamed!”
“All right,” said Davis, gazing at her in rapt adoration. “I am not afraid! Isn’t she a peach?” he added to Selden.
“Exquisite!” Selden agreed, suddenly sober. “Be good to her, old man!”
“You don’t need to tell me that!” said Davis quickly.
“Perhaps not. What are you going to do after you are married?”
“We’re going to take a trip around the world.”
“Yes—and after that?”