“I don’t think so.”
Hero casts up her eyes and repeats with expression,—
“O, wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!”
“Precisely,” says Leander. “I would that prayer were answered in your case, my dear.”
“I think you take pleasure in provoking me,” says the lady.
“My dear, how silly and childish all this is!” says the gentleman. “Why can’t we let each other alone?”
“You began it.”
“No, my dear, begging your pardon, I did not.”
“Certainly, Leander, you did.”
Now a conversation of this kind may go on hour after hour, as long as the respective parties have breath and strength, both becoming secretly more and more “set in their way.” On both sides is the consciousness that they might end it at once by a very simple concession.