"You know, now, as well as I do," said Alice, with heightened color. "You needn't pretend you don't."
"Oh," said Jim. "Well, then, I suppose I do." And the two walked on in silence, for some way; Jim with an air of serious humility, as if in a deep study, and Alice with cheeks getting redder and redder with vexation.
"Now, Jim," she said at last, "you are very provoking."
"I'm sure I give in to everything you say," said Jim, in an injured tone.
"But you act just as if you were making fun all the time; and you know you are."
"Upon my word I don't know what you mean. I have assented to every word you said—given up to you hook and line—and now you're not pleased. I tell you it's rough on a fellow."
"Oh, come," said Alice, laughing at the absurdity of the quarrel; "there's no use in scolding you."
Jim laughed too, and felt triumphant; and just then they turned a corner and met Aunt Maria coming from church.