She hangs her pretty head.
"I don't remember what you said," says Rylton, a little at fault. "But—if you are honestly determined, Tita, to be—er—a little more circumspect in that direction in future——"
"I am—I am indeed!" cries Tita. "I'm sure I can't think how I ever said it to you! It was so rude—so horrid——"
"Said? What?" demands Rylton, with quick suspicion.
"Well, you know I did call you a cross cat!" says his wife, with a little slide glance at him, and a tremulous smile, and withal such lovely penitence, that if he had not been led astray by another thought, he would have granted her absolution for all her sins, here and hereafter, on the spot.
As it is, his wrath grows once more hot within him; so she is _not _sorry after all.
"Pshaw!" says he.
"Oh, and I called you ugly, too!" cries Tita. "Oh, how could I? But you will forgive me, won't you?" She runs after him, and lays her hand upon his arm. "You do forgive me, don't you?"
"No!" says he violently.
He almost flings her from him.