When a Man's Single: A Tale of Literary Life

by J. M. Barrie

'Not much,' said Will, with a guilty look.

'I know you told him something else?'

'I told him you—you were fond of kissing people.'

'Oh, you nasty boy, Will—as if kissing a child like you counted!'

'Never mind,' said Will soothingly, 'Greybrooke's not the fellow to tell tales. Besides, I know you girls can't help it. Mary's just the same.'

'You are a goose, Will, and the day will come when you'll give anything for a kiss.'

'You've no right to bring such charges against a fellow,' said Will indignantly, strutting to the door.

Half-way downstairs he turned and came back.

'I say, Nell,' he said, 'you—you, when you come down, you won't kiss Greybrooke?'

Nell drew herself up in a way that would have scared any young man but Will.