"I wish you would say why."
"I hardly need," said Winthrop with a smile. "You have said it all to yourself."
"Notwithstanding which assumption, I should like to hear you say it."
"For the greater ease of attack and defence?"
"If you please. For anything."
"What do you want me to do, Will?" said Winthrop looking up.
"To tell me why I should not marry Miss Haye or Miss
Cadwallader."
"You not knowing, yourself."
"Yes — I don't," said Rufus.
Winthrop turned over a few leaves of his book and then spoke.