“What?”

“How can you reason so coldly?”

“I — reason coldly? There is nothing cold in me where you are concerned. But I have to console myself for not seeing you — — ”

“I am inconsolable,” said I fervently.

“No more than am I,” she retorted hotly, as though jealous that I should arrogate to myself a warmer feeling concerning her than she entertained for me.

“I care so much for you, Lois,” said I.

“And I for you.”

“Not as I care for you.”

“Exactly as you care for me. Do you think me insensible to gratitude and affection?”