"No. But I know. I haven't watched for a month for nothing. I'm not a child, Miss Van Wyck."
"What are you?" she taunted.
"A prophet. Jerry is no woman's plaything. Let him be. You don't know him as I do. I warn you."
She suddenly went into a fit of laughter, meant to ruffle my dignity.
"Off with my head! If you knew how much you remind me of the Queen in 'Alice in Wonderland'!"
"I'm sorry you won't take me seriously."
"I can't," she laughed again. "You're too absurd to be tragic."
"Perhaps we had better be going toward the house," I remarked.
She moved slowly along, her back eloquent of disdain. But she paused for a moment to let me join her.
"You see? I've tried. You won't be friendly."