"The same,—and look here, you won't turn crusty, if I ask you a point-blank question?"
"No, Dottie."
"Don't call me that, you know I hate it."
"Isn't it your naval sobriquet?"
"Never mind if it is."
"But I do mind, and I shall call you what I please, for it suits you perfectly. Well, then, Dottie, I don't mind your asking me anything, if it's for a purpose, and not for idle curiosity."
"Oh, it's for a purpose fast enough."
"Go ahead, then. I'll try and bank that ball into the side-pocket, while you are thinking it out."
"It doesn't need thinking out. It's just this: Do you mean business with Little Diplomacy?"
"What affair is that of yours?" she asked, pausing in the act of chalking her cue.