'Ah, yes,' he said. 'I remember.'
'That line is no good,' remarked Dorothy critically. 'You must get more sincerity into it, or drop it.'
He dropped it, and sat down.
'I've been wanting to tell you for some time, Dorothy,' he said, 'that I hope to marry Mrs. Massington. I should have done so before, only it's an awkward thing to say.'
'There is always a slight crudeness in that situation,' said she. 'Men always try to explain away what can't be explained at all. So cut it short. I know you must say a few words, but let them be few.'
'Well, it's just this,', said he: 'we've been great friends, we've got along excellently; you have always been charming to me, and I hope I haven't treated you badly.'
'Oh no, first-class time,' said she, the gamin coming to the surface.
'Well, now I want to marry,' he said, 'and I come to you for your help. If you had been in my position, I would have helped you.'
'Thanks. Well?'
'You know it was a devilish awkward moment last night. And you made it worse. You laughed. You shouldn't have done that.'