“Ask me to crawl in the grate, and see how quickly I do it!” he declared.
“It might prove my power, but I should lose my friend,” she whispered.
“And that would be inconvenient!” he laughed. “Come, speak up! it’s already granted, that you should know, Elaine.”
“You’re a very sweet boy,” she said, going back to her seat.
“Which needs demonstration. But that you’re a very sweet girl, needs no proof—unless——” looking at her with a meaning smile.
“Would that be proof, think you?” with a sidelong glance.
“I should accept it as such,” he averred—“whenever you choose to confer it.” 179
“Confer smacks of reward for service done,” she said. “Will it bide till then?”
“Not if it may come sooner?”
“Wait—If you choose such pay, the——”