“If there had been another seat, thee would have taken it.”
“More prevarication!” he laughed.
“Wouldn’t thee?”
“No,” he said. “If you knew what a villain I am, you would shun me—”
“I have not been permitted to shun thee,” she interrupted.
He persisted.
“I deliberately selected this day and this train to go down town because I knew that you would be on it. Now, then, what is my punishment?”
“I thank thee.”
“What?”
Though it was all persiflage, he could not believe his ears.