"Jerry laughed. 'The nearest thing I've got to a banshee is my dog Skookums. But he's blind in one eye and his teeth are gone, and he's too lazy even to wag his tail. Besides I don't see why I should set him on you!
"She laughed, showing a row of rather small but even teeth.
"'They say you don't like girls. Tell me it isn't so, Mr. Ballard'—she appealed to me.
"I saw the way the wind was blowing but I chose to humor her.
"'I am sure he adores the very ground you walk on,' I said politely, 'especially when you look like a figure on an Etruscan amphora.'
"She smiled slowly. 'You can say nice things, can't you, Mr. Ballard? But that doesn't quite exculpate Mr. Benham.'
"'I'm sure,' said Jerry very gravely, 'that you're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen!'
"Her fishing prospered. Her eyelashes lowered so that we both could see how long they were and when she raised them again and looked at Jerry her eyes were opened wide.
"'That is the greatest compliment I've ever received in my life,' she said evenly. 'I hope you mean it, Mr. Benham.'
"'I shouldn't have said it if I didn't think so,' said Jerry quickly.