She made no answer for a moment; suddenly she caught my hand and pressed it, crushing it between both of hers; and turning I saw her almost helpless with her laughter.

“Oh, what an infant have I found in this tall gentleman of Morgan’s corps!” said she. “A boy one moment and a man the next — silly and wise in the same breath — headlong, headstrong, tender, and generous, petty and childish, grave and kind — the sacred and wondrous being, in point of fact, known to the world as man! And now he asks, with solemn mien and sadly ruffled and reproachful dignity whether a poor, friendless, homeless, nameless girl desires his company again!”

She dropped my hand, caught at her skirt’s edge, and made me a mocking reverence.