"The rest of your life, Patty."
"Ken, if you say such clever things as that, I'm afraid I'll fall in love with you!"
"Patty, darling,—don't tease me like that! If I thought you meant it—-"
"But, anyway, Ken, if I take the rest of my life to think this thing over, I can't give you an answer till my dying day! And that seems late——"
"Patty, stop talking like that! You'll drive me crazy! Now listen, little girl, I'm going now. And you're going to think over what I've said to you. And—try to think kindly,—won't you?"
"I've never thought of you any way but kindly, Ken."
"Well, think more than kindly, then,—think lovingly. Good-night,
Patty."
Kenneth held out his hand and Patty put her little hand slowly into it.
As she felt his strong, warm clasp, a mischievous impulse moved her to say, demurely: "I think it would be polite, Ken, if you kissed my hand, instead of squeezing it to pieces!"
Kenneth gave her one look, dropped a light kiss on the back of her little hand, and with a courteous bow left the room.