"That's the kind of man that Jerry is—harmless, docile and most agreeable, but let him be aroused—"
I paused, letting the paralipsis finish my suggestion.
She was silent a moment, finally turning to me with a laugh that rang a little discordantly against the softness of her speech.
"Jerry wouldn't beat me, would he, Mr. Canby?"
"I'm sure I haven't the least means of knowing," I replied.
"You are merely warning me, I see. Thanks. But I'm afraid you give me credit for greater hardihood than I possess. On the whole I think I'm flattered."
She snipped a bud and put it to her lips as though to conceal a smile, and then passed me slowly.
"Come, Mr. Canby," she said. "I think it's time we joined the others."
It was. The night was cool, but I was perspiring profusely.