"Yes, sometimes." She sat hugging her knees and swaying to and fro, and with each forward movement her face neared his. "But at others you are quite presentable. Last night you were charming to me, George."
"I can be what I choose. D'you know that I had the same education as your brothers?"
"You're always saying that. But you forget that you didn't have me for a sister."
"No, thank God."
"Now—!"
"That's a compliment."
"Oh! And, George," she peered at him and dared herself to say the words, though old Halkett's ghost might be lurking among the trees: "I don't think your father can have been a ve-ry good influence on a wild young man like you."
"The old man's dead. Leave it at that. And who says I'm wild?"
"Aren't you? Don't disappoint me."
"I'm all right," he said with admirable simplicity, "if I don't drink."