"No—of course not. People never care for what they get without an effort."
"You are absolutely irrepressible!" exclaimed Maria Consuelo, laughing in spite of herself.
"And you do not like that! I will be meekness itself—a lamb, if you please."
"Too playful—it would not suit your style."
"A stone—"
"I detest geology."
"A lap-dog, then. Make your choice, Madame. The menagerie of the universe is at your disposal. When Adam gave names to the animals, he could have called a lion a lap-dog—to reassure the Africans. But he lacked imagination—he called a cat, a cat."
"That had the merit of simplicity, at all events."
"Since you admire his system, you may call me either Cain or Abel," suggested Orsino. "Am I humble enough? Can submission go farther?"
"Either would be flattery—for Abel was good and Cain was interesting."