"Look here, Miss, do you imply that I'm a sort of three-ringed circus or professional jumping-jack?"
"No. I don't mean anything horrid and jumpy like that. I mean you are never like other people. That's why it's such fun to try and guess what you will do or say next. And I hardly ever guess right."
"I see. I'm more like a Christmas stocking, full of surprises."
"There, you see what funny things you say! It's far more absorbing than a hundred books of light reading."
"Henriette, you are becoming highly skilled at flattery. It's a very useful accomplishment. If my absence brings out virtues like this, I think I shall make a point of deserting you for two hours every morning. You will become a paragon, and I shall be famous for my absent teaching."
"Oh, no, no, most dearest Jeanette. If need be, I'll say the most awful things about you. I'll do anything to keep you."
She gave a great sigh.
"You don't know how I worry about losing you. It's terrible! Why weren't you my sister or my aunt? Then I'd be sure of keeping you always!"
"Don't be too sure of that, darling. If we were close relations, everybody would expect us to be fond of each other. And this expectation would probably destroy most of the fondness, unless our attraction for each other happened to be overwhelming."
"Oh, it is overwhelming, isn't it? It must be, Jeanette. Why, I wouldn't mind even if you were my mother!"