'Well, you know very well you may have any notions you like—as long as you have me.'
'That is rather a strong bribe.'
'I'll make it much stronger if you'll tell me how. You don't suppose it does a fellow any good to come a cropper like that, do you?'
'Why, three months afterwards I heard you were going to be married to Miss Julia Morton. Why weren't you?'
'I did try to like Julia—if it were only to vex you; but, by Jove! when she began to be in earnest, I found the shoe was on the wrong foot. You might be vexed for a day, but I should be vexed for all the rest of my life.'
'What makes you think I would be vexed for a day?'
'Oh, just because I've come to belong to you—in a sort of way—like that goggle-eyed owl and the little gold pistol hanging at your watch-chain.'
'I use the little gold pistol to wind up my watch with, and the owl has sparkling ruby eyes into which I look in church when I am very tired. The one is useful and the other beautiful, you see, Ted.'
'And I am both,' said the young man imperturbably. 'Besides, I can give you whatever money will buy—take you anywhere.'
'But then, you see, you would be always there.'