“Indeed, Dan, my dear old friend, what possible interest could I have in anything Tamea does—with you or any other man? You say you are complimented. Perhaps you may even be delighted. I’m sure I do not know, and I’m not sufficiently interested to inquire. It hasn’t occurred to me to take you or Tamea or your love-making at all seriously.”
He was crushed. “I see I’ve made a star-spangled monkey of myself,” he said gloomily.
“Oh, say not so, old boy!” Maisie bantered. She had him down in his corner now; a little more battering and he would be counted out. “Have you been indulging in some day-dreams, Dan?”
He nodded, and she laid her little hand on his forearm with an adorable look of simulated interest, tenderness and banter. With a fascinating uplift and outthrust of her lovely chin, Maisie said: “Tell Auntie about it.”
“Oh, don’t annoy me. You’re a most provoking woman.”
“Do please tell, Dan’l. I’m that cur’ous.”
“Well, I suppose I might as well. It appears I have laid the flattering unction to my soul that you loved me.”
“Yes?” Maisie barely cooed the word.
“And you do not.”
“How do you know, old snarleyow?”