"Well, you see, I'm in love," said he.
"You really are?" she doubted, with sprightliness, looking gleeful.
"All too really," he assured her, in a sinking voice.
"What an old witch I was!" mused she, with satisfaction. "Accept my heart-felt felicitations." She beamed upon him.
"I should prefer your condolences," said he, in a voice from the depths.
"Allons donc! Cheer up," laughed she, dallying with her bliss. "Men have died, and worms have eaten them, but not for love."
"I wonder," said John. "That is a statement, it seems to me, which would be the better for some proving."
"At all events," said she, "you, for one, are not dead yet."
"No," admitted he; "though I could almost wish I was."
"Do you mean to say she has definitely rejected you?" she demanded, alarmed.