“I should love to,” I cried, “but I must first make a little confession.”

She leaned over me and forced me to lie down. She was still quite Maeterlinckian.

“What is your confession?”

“The reason I fell into your garden,” I proceeded very quickly, “was because I was reconnoitring how to manage to fall into it. I wanted very much to see your garden—and you.”

“Why?”

“For many reasons,” I answered diplomatically.

“Give them to me.”

“W-e-l-l, you have lived here for years now, without ever leaving the place.”

“I don’t know of anyone in Pantich who ever does leave it.”

“Y-e-s, I know; but you are different.”