"That's being unkind to yourself. Take down your friends if you like, but spare yourself."
"I should like to take you down," says she maliciously.
"Am I your friend, then?"
"No—no, indeed!"
"Well——"
He pauses and looks at her. All at once it seems to him that perhaps he is her friend—a friend—a mere friend! But could a man who loved another woman be an honest friend to his wife?
"Are you?" asks Tita.
"Yes. Didn't I want to take you down just now?"
At this she gives in and laughs a little. He laughs too.
"You are too clever for me," says she.