"But I gave you an answer."

"Not a definite one."

"I don't know how to make it any more definite. I told you I ... liked you better than anybody else, and some day, perhaps—"

"Well, that's not definite. Why don't you like me well enough to marry me?"

"Oh, but I do," she insisted warmly.

"You do...?" He was nonplussed by that example of logic.

"Yes, indeed I do."

"Well, why don't you?" There was more than a hint of exasperation in his voice. He was fast losing his temper.

"Because...."

"Because why? For goodness' sake, can't you give me a real reason ... something I can use my teeth on?"