“How do you know I am not a journalist?”
“Well, I hope you are not. I thought you were a photographer.”
“Oh, not a professional photographer, you know.”
“I am sorry; I prefer the professional to the amateur.”
“I like to hear you say that.”
“Why? It is not very complimentary, I am sure.”
“The very reason I like to hear you say it. If you were complimentary I would be afraid you were going to take a chill and be ill after this disaster; but now that you are yourself again, I have no such fear.”
“Myself again!” blazed the young woman. “What do you know about me? How do you know whether I am myself or somebody else? I am sure our acquaintance has been very short.”
“Counted by time, yes. But an incident like this, in the wilderness, does more to form a friendship, or the reverse, than years of ordinary acquaintance in Boston or London. You ask how I know that you are yourself. Shall I tell you?”
“If you please.”