"Do you like it?"
"No!"
"Won't you accept it?"
"No, I won't!"
"Why, very well!" said I, and shutting the case I threw it into the
road.
"Ah, don't! How could you!" she cried and reined Diogenes to abrupt
standstill. "Go and pick it up--this instant!"
"If you don't want it--I won't!" said I, folding my arms.
"I didn't say I didn't want it--"
"But you wouldn't accept it--"
"No more I will--yet--"
"Now of all the ridiculous, unreasonable creatures--"
"So please go an' pick it up, Peregrine."
"If I do, will you let me put it round your neck?"
"Wait till--till I feels a little kinder to you!"
"That will be a unique occasion and one to remember!" said I bitterly,
and springing from the cart, I went and took up my despised gift,
though with very ill grace. "And pray, madam," I enquired, thrusting
the case into my pocket and frowning up at her where she leaned, chin
on fist, viewing me with her sombre gaze, "when are you likely to feel
any kinder?"
"How should I know--and you look s' strange and different in your new
clo'es--"
"It is to be hoped so!" said I.
"And your curls all cut off!"
"I never thought you'd notice--"
"And you seem more cocksure than ever--"
"Cocksure is an ugly word, Diana."
"So I think I liked you better as you were."
"Good!" said I, climbing back into the cart. "It remains for me to
make you like me best--as I am."
"How?"
"By marrying you.
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