"There _could_ be no harm in it!" "_Harm!_" repeat I, laughing.

"Well, _hardly_! I cannot fancy a more innocent amusement." Though my speech is in agreement with his own, the coincidence does not seem to gratify him.
"What did you mean, then ?" he says, sharply.

"You said 'but'-- " "Did I ?" answer I, again throwing back my head, and looking upward, as if trying to trace my last preposition among the clouds; "but--_but_--where could I have put a '_but_' ?--oh, I know! _but_ you will most likely forget! Do not!" I continue, bringing down my eyes again, and speaking in a coaxing tone.

"If you do, it will be play to you, but _death_ to me; the thought of it will keep me up all the day!" "Will it ?" in a tone of elated eagerness.

"You are not _gibing_, I suppose?
it does not sound like your gibing voice!" "Not it!" reply I, gloomily.