"Then you won't take my flowers?"
"Certainly I will, with pleasure," said she, rising, "if you will let me get a glass of water, and place them in the parlour, where we can all enjoy them."
"I did not cut my flowers, and bring them here for the benefit of the whole household," said Ben, in a half-offended tone. "If you won't wear them, Miss Gertrude, I will offer them to somebody that will."
This, he thought, would alarm her, for his vanity was such that he attributed her behaviour wholly to coquetry.
"I will punish her," thought he, as he tied the roses together again, and arranged them for presentation to Kitty, who he knew would be flattered to receive them.
"Where's Fanny to-day," asked Gertrude, anxious to divert the conversation.
"I don't know," answered Ben, which implied that he had no idea of talking about Fanny.
"How attentive you are to your work!" said he, at last: "your eyes seemed nailed to it. I wish I were as attractive as that piece of muslin!"
"I wish you were as inoffensive," thought Gertrude.
"I do not think you take much pains to entertain me," added he, "when I've come here on purpose to see you."