'Have I caught you in the act of escape ?' 'I was going to look for you,' said the child, putting her arm through his and swinging upon him.

'We want to know if you'll be back for lunch.' 'Who wants to know ?' 'I and Minnie and Miss Hood.' 'Oh, you are Patty, then, are you ?' This was an old form of joke.

The child shook her dark curls with a half-annoyed gesture, but still swung on her cousin as he moved into the house.

Wilfrid passed his arm about her playfully.
'Can't you make up your mind, Wilf ?' she asked.
'Oh yes, my mind is quite made up,' he replied, with a laugh.
'And won't you tell me ?' 'Tell you?
Ah, about lunch.

No, I shall not be back.' 'You won't?
Oh, I am sorry.' 'Why are you sorry, indistinguishable little maiden ?' he asked, drawing out one of her curls between his fingers, and letting it spring back again into its circling beauty.
'We thought it would be so nice, we four at lunch.' 'I am warned to avoid you.