“By the right of the strongest, O fair Helena (it's the way they talk in translations of Homer).”
“How very learned you are!” sighed Betty.
“How very lovely you are!” sighed Dan.
“And you will really force me to tell you?” she asked.
“For your own sake, don't let it come to that,” he replied.
“But are you sure that you are strong enough to hear it?”
“I am strong enough for anything,” he assured her, “except suspense.”
“Well, if I must, then let me whisper it—I went because—” she drew back, “I implore you not to uproot the forest in your wrath.”
“Speak quickly,” urged Dan, impatiently.
“I went because—brace yourself—I went because he asked me.”