"Naturally. Peter's a temptation to all of us. He is so aggressively pure."
"You, at any rate, are safe," Atterbury audaciously hoped.
"For the time being," Vivette reassured him, "if Peter will only smile now and then. But he mustn't go on wearing his beautiful character like a medal."
Peter had bounded to the far end of the sofa. Now he rose, offering to go.
"You want to discuss me," he said.
"It doesn't matter, thank you; but if you really must—" Vivette held out her hand politely. Peter smacked it suddenly. Then he sat down again.
"What a wicked child," said Vivette, turning again to Atterbury. "Did you ever see such a temper? It's a curious thing about me," she added, discussing an interesting problem in character, "every man I have anything to do with sooner or later wants to hit me."
"Men like to be taken seriously."
"You never want to be taken seriously, do you, Jimmy?"
"I am not a typical man," retorted Atterbury.