"How is that?"
Again the bantering look crept in Hector's eyes.
"Well, if I may suggest it, I can help you across."
He nodded towards the stile.
She looked puzzled, followed his glance, and smiled amusedly.
"I don't quite understand," she told him.
Hector smiled back.
"I don't believe you're very heavy. I'm sure—" greatly daring, he ventured the plunge, "I could easily lift you over."
She raised her eyebrows gravely. Hector felt that he had damned himself.
"Lift me over?" she queried.