The girl bowed and slipped quietly away. Then Beatrix turned to Franklin, with a most tantalizing air of intimacy. "I'm not tired," she said, "and although you are very thoughtful,—more so than most husbands, which is perfectly charming,—I'm all for a little bright conversation. I was rather bored during dinner and afterwards. Don't you think you might amuse me? You seem to be a very amusing person."
Franklin showed his teeth in a silent laugh. "You think so?"
"Well, the indications point to it."
"You have a very vivid imagination, my child."
"A man doesn't call his wife a child until he's been married to her at least ten years, and then is quarreling over her extravagances."
"You may be right," said Franklin, shortly. "You'll oblige me by ceasing to play the fool. I'm not in a mood for it. I'll do the maid's job if you don't want that girl in here."
He got up again and stood over her, apparently the very acme of importunity.
Beatrix only showed her fright by a slight distention of her nostrils. She burst out laughing. "Among your other achievements, then, you know how to unhook a frock."
"I do," said Franklin. "Stand up, will you, please?"
"My dear Mr. Franklin," she said, drawling ever so little, "I forget your Christian name,—isn't there something just a trifle Oriental in your tone?"