"Could you do that, little lady?" he said.
"No," she answered, beating down rebellious inner whisperings.
"Wouldn't you follow David that way?"
"David wouldn't ask it. No civilized man would."
"No, David wouldn't," he said quietly.
She glanced quickly at him. Did she hear the note of mockery which she sensed whenever he alluded to her lover? She was ready at once to take up arms for David, but the face opposite was devoid of any expression save an intent, expectant interest. She dropped her eyes to her dress, perturbed by the closeness of her escape from a foolish exhibition which would have made her ridiculous. She always felt with Courant that she would be swept aside as a trivial thing if she lost her dignity. He watched her and she grew nervous, plucking at her skirt with an uncertain hand.
"I wonder if you could?" he said after a pause.
"Of course not," she snapped.
"Aren't you enough of a woman?"
"I'm not enough of a fool."