"Not a bit of good," said Max. "Don't you know I'm waiting for the kiss of peace?"
"I can't!" she protested swiftly. "I can't!"
"Can't what?" said Max.
Her lips were trembling, but she shed no tears. He seemed in some magic fashion to keep her from that.
"I can't kiss you, Max, really—really!" she said.
"Why not?" said Max.
She was silent, but he persisted, still holding her pressed to him.
"Tell me why not! Is it because you don't want to Or you think you ought not to? Or because you are just—shy?"
She caught the smile in his voice and pictured the cocked-up corner of his mouth. "I think I ought not to," she murmured, with her head still turned from him.
"Conscientious objections?" suggested Max.