“Far from it. He was very amusing.”
“Doubtless,” commented the other dryly. “But it isn’t fair to play the game with one who doesn’t know the rules. Besides, what will Mr. Preston Fairfax—”
“For a professedly shy person, you certainly take a rather intimate tone.”
“Oh, I’m shy only under the baleful influence of the feminine eye. Besides, you set the note of intimacy when you analyzed my personal appearance. And finally, I have a warm regard for young Raimonda.”
“So have I,” she returned maliciously. “Aren’t you jealous?”
He laughed.
“Please be a little bit jealous. It would be so flattering.”
“Jealousy is another tradition in which I don’t believe.”
“Then I can’t flirt with you at all?” she sighed. “After taking all this long hot walk to see you!”
Plop! The sound punctured the silence sharply, though not loudly. Some large fruit pod bursting on a distant tree might have made such a report.