"I wish we weren't old friends," he said. "It is a handicap, isn't it? If I didn't know you so well—"
"Oh, I'll show you things you never knew!" she interrupted, playing up harder and harder. "Don't be afraid of my resources. I have a trick or two up my sleeve. We'll forget we were friends and get acquainted all over. Come, be a Martian—burst a new brain cell, as I have!" She gave another dry laugh.
"It will be dangerous," he warned.
"Pooh!" She snapped her fingers at him.
He seized her hand and tried to hold it.
"Not yet!" she said, and shook her finger fantastically.
So, like a wounded bird, she lured him away from her nest. The luncheon-bell rescued her. She could not have lasted much longer. During the luncheon, she kept him skilfully at arm's length, and before they had finished, Mr. Payson came in and surprised them—and himself.
When Clytie went up-stairs to prepare for the trip he put his hand cordially on Cayley's shoulder.
"Well, I'm glad to see you and Clytie on such good terms. It looks like old times."
"I think perhaps the modern method is going to succeed," Cayley said with a satisfied smile. "Cly's been nicer than she has been for weeks. I hear Granthope's disposed of."