"I said 'unfortunate maiden.' Life must be fearfully dull for you."
"It isn't dull at all. It's delightful!"
"As witness day before yesterday. Were you getting what you wanted then?"
"I wanted a good cry, and I got it. And I don't want to talk about it. If you're going to be stupid—"
"Tell me about the prehistoric ruin," he implored hastily.
"It isn't a ruin at all. It's the cunningest, quaintest, homiest little old house in all New York."
"I'm sorry," he said in the tone of one who reluctantly thwarts another's project.
"What are you sorry about?" She drew down the slanted brows with a delicious effect of surprise.
"I'm sorry; but you can't have that house."
"Why not?"