"Oh," said Bessie, in a sarcastic tone, "you think you are very clever, don't you?"
"Why should I deny it? A good opinion is like charity, and should begin at home."
"Does any one else think you are clever, Mr. Moore?"
"I don't know," answered the poet cheerfully; "but if they do not, it only makes my opinion more valuable on account of its rarity."
Bessie was compelled to smile by this ingenious argument, and sought refuge behind her fan; but Moore, seeing he had scored, followed up his success resolutely.
"As you say," he continued, "I am clever."
"But," said Bessie indignantly, "I did not say that."
"You forget," replied Moore, loftily, "that a man's opinion of what a woman thinks is based largely on what she does not say."
"You surprise me, Mr. Moore. Pray explain your last assertion."
"Well, then, for example, I linger by your side and you do not say 'Go away,' so my opinion is that you wish me to remain."