"Lud, it's an inventory! I'm for sale, then. Well, what's your bid?"
"I've a shilling in my pocket ma'am and want it to buy tobacco."
"Oh, silly, what does a man pay for a woman?"
Harry laughed. "Why, nothing, if she's worth buying."
Then Alison said softly, "Going—going—gone," and clapped her hands and laughed.
"You go beyond me at least," Harry said in a moment.
She put her hands behind her and leaned forward till her bosom pressed upon him lightly, and then, with her head tilted back so that he saw the white curve from under her chin, and the line of the blue vein in it, "You want me, Harry," she said.
"You know that too well, by God."
"Too well for what, sir?"
"Too well for my peace, ma'am." He flushed.