'To draw him on. But simply I can't do it, he is so stand-off in his manner.'
'Why?'
'It is not my forte; I wish it was. There is Miss Le Robbynson, she can flirt with a dozen of men at once, and even make them quarrel about her.'
'But men as a rule dislike flirts, and don't marry them; and flirting is pretending to care for a person when you don't.'
'Ah; but I care a great deal for this fellow.'
'Fellow?' queried Alison, on whose delicate ear this girl's phraseology jarred sorely.
'Well, my military beau?'
'You should not adopt this style.'
'You are not my governess!' retorted Miss De Jobbyns, with some asperity.
'Some day, no doubt, I shall see your intended.'