I stammered: "Why—er—not in New York, you know. They won't take a lady in at this time of night. They—"
She snapped her fingers. "Oh, I say, Mr. Lightnut, play easier on that girlie and lady pedal; cook up a fresh gag! I tell you, I've put all that behind me. Say, wait till you've known me a little, and I'll bet a purse you never call me a lady again! Lady! Say, that's funny!"
And it certainly seemed to strike her sense of humor. She gave me a sudden punch in the side that fairly left me breathless, and her laughter rang out birdlike, joyous. Of a sudden I felt devilish awkward and foolish.
"Oh, please stop stringing me, Mr. Lightnut—don't treat me like a kid. I want to get acquainted." Then her bright face sobered. "Say, was that on the level—that about your going to leave me? See here, I'm not bothering you, am I, Mr. Lightnut?"
"Bothering me!" I ejaculated. "Bothering me? I should say not!"
I think I must have said it heartily and convincingly, don't you know, for her lovely face looked pleased.
"Because if I am," she said earnestly, "I'll fade away into my own little room there." Her glance ranged toward her door. "It's sure some swell, that room."
"So jolly glad you like it," I said.
"Well, I should say!" Then her beautiful eyes looked at me full.
"You know, I didn't expect this—I mean having a room all to myself. Never."