Alpha Book

. . . I do not wish to
marry anybody. I think I made that very plain to--everybody."
"Right as usual," he said cheerfully; "you are too intelligent to
consider that sort of thing just now."
"You _do_ understand me, don't you?" she said gratefully. "There are so
many serious things in life to learn and to think of, and that is the
very last thing I should ever consider. . . . I am very, very glad I had
this talk with you. Now I am rested and I shall retire for a good long
sleep."
With which paradox she stood up, stifling a tiny yawn, and looked
smilingly at him, all the old sweet confidence in her eyes. Then,
suddenly mocking:
"Who suggested that you call me by my first name?" she asked.
"Some good angel or other. May I?"
"If you please; I rather like it. But I couldn't very well call you
anything except 'Captain Selwyn.'"
"On account of my age?"
"Your _age_!"--contemptuous in her confident equality.
"Oh, my wisdom, then? You probably reverence me too deeply.


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