"You are so ridiculous," she said. "No girl, I fancy, can remain angry with you very long."
"Thusis?"
"What?"
"I want to court you. May I?"
"Yes—if you don't make it resemble the other thing."
"I'll be careful."
"Very well."
And, as I remained buried in reflection: "You may fire when ready, Michael."
"Have you ever lived in the United States?" I asked, astonished.
"I was educated there," she replied demurely.