"Anything but that," she said.
"Well, there it is. Haven't you ever heard the old saw, that you can't handle pitch without being defiled?"
"Yes, I have heard something like that."
"Well, probably you've never thought much about it, but I assure you it's true—both of pitch and persons."
"I hope you haven't come to preach me a sermon."
"Do I look like a preacher?"
"I hadn't thought much about it before, but I'm blessed if you don't. But then, you might be anything else that's grave and terrible. A judge, or a—a——"
"Well, a what?"
"Oh, never mind. Who are you, any way?"
"Let me ask you a question first."