"If you'll come to Europe with me I'll take you," he said.
"You wouldn't. You'd hate it. You want to be free to prowl. So do I, and I mean to some day."
"Why not come now and prowl with me? I'll take care of you."
The girl looked at him with smiling intentness:
"If dad hadn't expressed his wishes, and even if my aunt would let me go, I wouldn't—now."
"Why not?"
"Because I shall do no more tagging after you."
"What?"
"No. And when you return I mean that you shall come and ask my permission to prowl with me.... And if I find you interesting enough I'll let you. Otherwise, I shall prowl by myself or with some other man."
He was laughing, and her face, also, wore a bright and slightly malicious smile.