"Would you rather not?" she asked.

"I will if you want me to; but I s'll feel a fool."

She laughed at him.

"Then feel a fool for my sake, once, won't you?"

The request made his blood flush up.

"I suppose I s'll have to."

"What are you taking a suit-case for?" his mother asked.

He blushed furiously.

"Clara asked me," he said.