I'm asking you that again, now.

I want you to like me." Hilma lifted her eyes inquiringly to his.

In her words was an unmistakable ring of absolute sincerity.

Innocently she inquired: "Why ?" Annixter was struck speechless.

In the face of such candour, such perfect ingenuousness, he was at a loss for any words.
"Well--well," he stammered, "well--I don't know," he suddenly burst out.
"That is," he went on, groping for his wits, "I can't quite say why." The idea of a colossal lie occurred to him, a thing actually royal.
"I like to have the people who are around me like me," he declared.
"I--I like to be popular, understand?
Yes, that's it," he continued, more reassured.