“I believe it is supposed to be.”
“Isn’t it rather—loading the dice, to interfere with the courts?”
“I find the dice already loaded. I merely substitute others of my own.”
“You don’t seem a bit ashamed of yourself.”
“I’m ashamed of the Consolidated”—he smiled.
“That’s a comfortable position to be able to take.” She fixed him for a moment with her charming frown of interrogation. “You won’t mind my asking these questions? I’m trying to decide whether you are too much of a pirate for me. Perhaps when I’ve made up my mind you won’t want me,” she added.
“Oh, I’ll want you!” Then coolly: “Shall we wait till you make up your mind before announcing the engagement?”
“Don’t be too sure,” she flashed at him.
“I’m horribly unsure.”
“Of course, you’re laughing at me, just as you would”—she tilted a sudden sideways glance at him—“if I asked you WHY you wanted to marry me.”