"Well," said Diana, "of course it's a very pretty idea, and I'm glad you're so fond of me, but the whole thing's absurd. I've accepted you and there's an end of it."
"No," I declared, "because--I release you now."
Diana fingered her handkerchief. "D--Dick, I refuse to be released. It's too silly for w--words. Come over here."
With a great effort I didn't get up; instead I gazed at the ceiling.
"Diana," I said, "I'm disappointed in you. I'm trying to do the right thing, the noble thing, and you mustn't stand in my way. You've no right to stand in my----"
"You know," I said, "this puts me in a very awkward position--very awkward. Diana, you must see my point of view."
"You mean you won't. I had expected more of you."
Diana smiled. "I thought you considered me perfect."
I sighed. "I'm afraid not," I said. "I fear not."
Suddenly I sat up. "Good Lord!" I exclaimed. "Hooray!"
"Don't you see? This puts matters on an entirely different footing. Darling, you don't want me to do the right thing, therefore you're not perfect."
"Well then, you don't deserve a perfect husband."
"That's not the point. You don't deserve one."
"Then that's all right," I said; "because you won't get one." And I cut myself a large slice of cake.
[_Chairman (at Friendly Lead, proposing toast of the performers)._ "All the hartists have give their services free, and I think you'll agree with me, gentlemen, that the labourers are worthy of their hire."]
["It is impossible for me to dine out either in private or in public without having those confounded telephones mentioned to me."
She was so young but fair to see; Her eye conveyed the glad regard; She murmured to the P.M.G. That life was very, very hard (It never crossed his mind that she Was double seven five Gerrard).
She spoke of love, as ladies will; He thought it no affair of his; "I cannot say," he said, "until You tell me what your trouble is;" So while he ate and drank his fill She told him all about it, viz.:--
"Augustus, handsome, tall and lean, Excels in every kind of sport; Such perfect men have rarely been, And cash with him is never short; His words are few and far between; He is the strong and silent sort.
"His courage is sublime, and yet His manly shyness is absurd; Of all the girls he ever met It was myself he most preferred; He'd try and try, but couldn't get His wretched tongue to say the word.