“When I am with you I seem to do nothing but repeat myself,” was the crushing reply. “How often am I to tell you that what you do, say, or think, is not of the smallest consequence to me.”
“You could not please me better than by repeating yourself,” a little whimsically. She stared in front of her.
“Can any one come to your surgery for medicine?” presently. “If I came with an ill, would you try to administer healing to me?”
“I should try to administer a rebuff that would prevent your ever coming again.”
He smiled a little. “You couldn’t hit harder than you have; and yet I still come.”
“That is your colossal obstinacy. Nothing in your life has ever attracted you except the unattainable. I understand perfectly, that because I happen to have the hardihood to withstand your overtures, and the originality,” with finely toned satire, “to prefer your room to your company, it amuses you to thrust your attentions upon me, just to see how soon I shall give in and bow down with the rest. You may save yourself the trouble. I shall never give in. It is only because of your mother and sisters that I assume any degree of friendliness whatever.”
“And what if I say I will never give in either? I am a strong man, Paddy, when I make up my mind about anything.”
“You are nothing of the kind. You are a coward, or you would not persist in taking unfair advantages of me.”
He flushed, but refused to get angry.
“I have taken no unfair advantage to-night. Only yesterday you accepted my escort before Doreen.”