Bailiff’s Daughter (modestly).—“Thanks for your trade, sir, rather ungraciously bestowed, and we ’opes for a continuance of your past fyvors.”
True Love (leaning on the wheel of the trap).—“Let us stop this nonsense. What did you hope to gain by running away?”
Bailiff’s Daughter.—“Distance and absence.”
True Love.—“You knew you couldn’t prevent my offering myself to you sometime or other.”
Bailiff’s Daughter.—“Perhaps not; but I could at least defer it, couldn’t I?”
True Love.—“Why postpone the inevitable?”
Bailiff’s Daughter.—“Doubtless I shrank from giving you the pain of a refusal.”
True Love.—“Perhaps; but do you know what I suspect?”
Bailiff’s Daughter.—“I’m not a suspicious person, thank goodness!”
True Love.—“That, on the contrary, you are wilfully withholding from me the joy of acceptance.”