"Must you have one?"

"A man never uses the word 'must' in seeking favors from a lady."

"Adroit policy! Well, what kind of a one do you want?"

"I told you long ago."

"Oh, I remember. An old-fashioned one, with a pronounced meaning. Here is a York and Lancaster bud. That has a decided old-style meaning."

"It means war, does it not?"

"Yes."

"I won't take it. Yes I will, too," I said, a second later, and I took the bud from her hand. "You know the law of war," I added: "To the victor belong the spoils."

She gave me a quick glance, and after a moment said, a trifle coldly,

"That remark seems bright, but it does not mean anything."