"Well, I don't say how soon after."
"I'll decide on the soonness. Then I take it we're engaged?"
"You take it nothing of the sort! You know, Peter Crane, you can't boss me as you do your own family!"
"Heaven forbid! Why, dear, I want you to boss me! Our life together will be one grand boss,—and you can be it!"
"Don't be silly, I'm in earnest. I couldn't be happy with a dominating, domineering man."
"Of course you couldn't. But I assure you I'm not one. You see, I only dictate in my own family because they like to have me to do so. Mother would be awfully upset if I didn't tell her what to do. Dad the same,—although I'm not sure the old dear knows it himself. And as for Julie,—why she just depends on me. So I naturally gravitate to the place of Grand Mogul, because I can't help it. But with you, it's different. You're a whole heap wiser, better and more fit to rule than I. And if you'll rule me, I'll be greatly obliged,—honest, I will."
"Oh, you're so absurd, Peter! I don't want to rule, either. I want us to be equally interested in everything, and have equal say in any matter."
"All right,—equality goes. I'll race you to see which can be the equalest. Now, are we engaged?"
"No, Peter, not till you come back."
"But I want to kiss you, and I can't, I suppose, until we are engaged. Oh, can I?"