"One would think you had made up your mind to be hanged--from your expression. Why so dejected?"
"Mallow, I know what fear is now; my heart is in my boots."
"Is it? Then you had better reinstate it before you go on your knees. What are you afraid of, you jackass? Miss Ostergaard won't eat you."
"She might say 'No,'" groaned the wretched Jim. He paled at the bare idea of so terrible a catastrophe.
"She might, on the other hand, say 'Yes,'" replied Mallow consolingly. "Come, Polyphemus, you needn't go out in a coach-and-four to meet your troubles. Look at mine; they come right to my very door, confound them."
"Mallow, you don't know how fond I am of that girl."
"I must, indeed, be dull of understanding, then," said he, "for you have endeavoured to bring me to a very clear comprehension of your feelings upon several occasions. Cheer up, old man!"--he clapped Jim's broad shoulders--"you have every chance of success. The girl's in love with you."
"Do you really think so?" said Jim, brightening. Then, with a deeper groan, "No, no, she is always teasing me."
"Of course she is. But it is only her way. Some women are like that--especially when in love. You must interpret them contrariwise--like dreams, you know."
"In that case I may hope."