[SHE WAS THROWING CRUMBS OF BREAD TO THE SWANS.]
“May I come ashore?” he asked.
“You are already trespassing dreadfully,” she objected.
“‘In for a penny, in for a pound,’” he replied, sending the canoe forward. “‘Might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.’ And if I could think of any other proverbs applicable to the matter I’d quote them.” He jumped out and pulled the bow of the canoe onto the turf.
“You won’t mind, however, if I decline to stay and be hung with you?” she asked.
“On the contrary, I should mind very much. In fact, I demand that you remain and go bail for me in case I’m apprehended.”
“I fear I couldn’t afford it,” she answered.
“Doubtless your word would serve,” he said. “Perhaps, if you told them the excellent character I bear, you might get me off scot-free.”
“But I don’t think I know enough about your character.”
“There’s something in that,” he allowed. “Perhaps you had better observe me closely for the next hour or two. One can learn a great deal about another person’s character by observation.”