'Nothing will induce me to let a friend of mine be driven from pillar to post for a lodging while I have plenty of room to spare!'
'You're very, very kind, but——'
'But the mouse may turn into a tiger if you contradict it,' she said with a light laugh that thrilled him with delight. 'I remember your description of the Tartar girl!'
'Well, then, I suppose the hyæna will have to turn into a small woolly lamb if you tell him to,' answered Mr. Van Torp.
'Yes,' laughed Margaret. 'Be a small, woolly lamb at once, please, a very small one!'
'Knee-high to a kitten; certainly,' replied the millionaire submissively.
'Very well. I'll take you with me to hear Parsifal to-morrow, if you obey. I've just asked Mrs. Rushmore [{155}] if it makes any difference to her, and she has confessed that she would rather not go again, for it tires her dreadfully and gives her a headache. You shall have her seat. What is it? Don't you want to go with me?'
"Margaret gazed at him in surprise while she might have counted ten."