Are you?
The thought of Philip Sterling in love is too comical.

I thought you were only in love with the Ilium coal mine, which you and father talk about half the time." This is a specimen of Philip's wooing.

Confound the girl, he would say to himself, why does she never tease Harry and that young Shepley who comes here?
How differently Alice treated him.

She at least never mocked him, and it was a relief to talk with one who had some sympathy with him.

And he did talk to her, by the hour, about Ruth.