She uncovered her face and looked down at him through tears with a faintly mischievous smile.
"Tell me!" he reiterated. "Is it because you don't like the idea of leaving me?"
Her smile flashed full out upon him on the instant.
"Goodness, no! Whatever made you think that?" she demanded, briskly.
He was momentarily disconcerted, but he recovered himself at once.
"Then what is your objection to going?" he asked.
She turned and sat down conversationally on the corner of the table.
"Well, you know, Billikins, it's like this. When I married you—I did it out of pity. See? I was sorry for you. You seemed such a poor, helpless sort of creature. And I thought being married to me might help to improve your position a bit. You see my point, Billikins?"
"Oh, quite," he said. "Please go on!"
She went on, with butterfly gaiety.