"Did you see the late scuffle between the unfortunate Heckle and myself?"
"Did I see it?" she asked. "How could I help seeing it?"
"Ah, then, did you notice that when he was down I helped him up?"
"Yes; and threatened to break his wrists when you got him up."
"Quite so. I should have done it, too, if he had not promised. But what I wanted to call your attention to, was the fact that he was standing up when I struck him, and I want also to impress upon you the other fact, that I did not hit him when he was down. Did you notice that?"
"Of course, I noticed it. No man would hit another when he was down."
"I am very glad, Miss Linderham, that you recognise it as a code of honour with us men, brutes as we are. Don't you think a woman should be equally generous?"
"Certainly; but I don't see what you mean."
"I mean this, Miss Linderham, that your offer is hitting me when I'm down."
"Oh!" exclaimed Miss Linderham, in dismay. "I'm sure I beg your pardon;
I did not look at it in that light."