"You appear to invite me to gambol?"
"I? Oh, no! These are matters that men decide for themselves."
"Possibly the fact is that you invite without desiring to do so."
"Then what," said she, suddenly laughing up at him, "should I have to think of your rudeness in declining my invitation all these days?"
She rose on that, looking about for coat and furs.
"But you must not think of going," said Canning, instantly.
The thundering of his feet grew very audible now.
"The instant mamma comes back. She is staying a long time, isn't she? Do you realize that we've been here hours and hours, and that it looks like midnight outdoors?"
"Still, it would be a satisfaction to finish one conversation with you. We seem to remain all beginnings."
"What end is there to such conversations as this, Mr. Canning?"