“No, don’t—don’t go! ‘That you went out.’ Heaven forgive me! There, are you satisfied?”
“Yes, I’m satisfied now. I hate to give in—especially to a man.”
“And to a woman?”
“Oh, I never give in to a woman. Women are so obstinate, and they’re always wrong! What are you laughing at? Oh, well, I’m not like a woman now. I’m—you know what I mean—I’m stating the case. Besides, I meant other women.”
“Now, if I tell you something, you won’t laugh at me and point the finger of scorn and press the heel of triumph?”
“No, I won’t.”
“Promise.”
“I promise.”
“Well, then, I am glad that you went out, and I was a bear to grudge it to you. And you—you have been far too good to me—far too good.”
“No, no—indeed no! You are my charge, and I am your nurse. And, remember, had it not been for us you would not have been hurt. Had it not been for you we should not have been here. We brought you to death’s door, and you saved us. I—I was only teasing you. I never meant—”