"We are all as much puzzled about it as you."
"And yet I am told you pride yourselves on your good behavior."
"Some do"—she paused a little, took a flower from a vase by her side and bit the stalk; she held the flower in her mouth a minute, looked at me again, half closing her eyes; but I remained seated where I was. Finding I remained unresponsive, she went on:
"We have all the faults that come from too great intimacy between men and women. The men get so accustomed to the women that romance is dead. We tend to become a vast family of brothers and sisters. Fortunately we travel and receive travelers, and so the dreadful monotony is relieved. You are a traveler, you see."
I understood now why I was favored, but still I remained seated where I was.
Perceiving that I was either stupid or resolute she jumped up from the divan and came to where I sat. She was short, and as she stood by me, her face was near mine and only a little above it. She had the flower in her hand now, and handing it to me, said:
"Put it in my hair."
I did so. She lowered her head to help me. I thought the time had come to effect an escape.
"Did you ever hear," said I, "the Eastern story of the man with the staff, the cock, and the pot?"