“Getting down. You’re the cleverest picture I ever saw on any wall. How long do they give you?”
“Out of the frame?” she said, catching up his fancy with a laugh. “Oh, only long enough to find out what you’ve done to make you the special person you say you are.”
“It’s not what I have done, but what I shall do.”
“Well, I’m very much disappointed. I thought you must be distinguished, and now I see you’re only conceited.”
He smiled—he was rather wonderful when he smiled.
“Of course, I know perfectly well we’ve met before,” Bella went on, “but I don’t remember who you are.”
“I’ll tell you some day.”
“Some day? How absurd. Why not now?”
“Because the surprise might be too great.”
She opened her eyes yet wider and laughed as a girl will in recognition of a point she sees as yet only with the eye of faith. “Didn’t you promise you’d tell me if I came down?”