"And you'll walk home with me to keep me from being unprotected on the streets of a great city at night. It's only about twelve blocks. You don't need to take a taxi."
"Honest, I can't. I wish I could. I'm awful sorry."
Vonnie began to laugh. "I wonder why it is that when they come big they haven't got any sense. 'I knew I could rule you the day we were wed,' she hummed, 'for thick in the middle is thick in the head.'"
"What did I do that was stupid? And I'm not thick in the middle."
"Well, that's a fact. I don't know your name but your figure is grand. I guess you find being so handsome you don't need any sense."
"I have so too got sense. What have I done?"
"Well, you're just so serious I can't go on kidding you. Don't you suppose I knew you were waiting for Maria? And I know a lot more than that. You keep looking at that girl the way you did yesterday afternoon and all of a sudden you'll find rice in your ears."
"All right," said Peter, "I guess I can stand that."
"Here comes the bride—watch your step," and Vonnie went up the street as Maria came around the corner.
"Hello," said Maria, "what was it you talked about to Vonnie?"