There!" "You don't like doing it!" he challenged.
"It's my duty," she maintained.
He gave her an odd look.

"And do you always do--your duty ?" "I try to," she said.
"Always ?" he insisted.
Something in his eyes gave her pause.

She wanted to turn her own aside, but could not.

"To--to the best of my ability," she stammered.
He looked ironical for an instant, and then abruptly he laughed and released her work.

"Bless your funny little heart!" he said.