He realized that he wished what she said to be the literal truth, and he was instantly snared by that realization.
"By George!" he said.

"I guess you're the kind of girl that can say anything--yes, and get away with it, too!" She laughed again--in her way, so that he could not tell whether she was laughing at him or at herself or at the nonsense she was talking; and she said: "But you see I don't care whether I get away with it or not.
I wish you'd tell me frankly if you think I've got a change to get away with YOU ?" "More like if you've got a chance to get away FROM me!" Jim was inspired to reply.

"Not one in the world, especially after beginning by making fun of me like that." "I mightn't be so much in fun as you think," she said, regarding him with sudden gravity.
"Well," said Jim, in simple honesty, "you're a funny girl!" Her gravity continued an instant longer.

"I may not turn out to be funny for YOU." "So long as you turn out to be anything at all for me, I expect I can manage to be satisfied." And with that, to his own surprise, it was his turn to blush, whereupon she laughed again.
"Yes," he said, plaintively, not wholly lacking intuition, "I can see you're the sort of girl that would laugh the minute you see a man really means anything!" "'Laugh'!" she cried, gaily.

"Why, it might be a matter of life and death! But if you want tragedy, I'd better put the question at once, considering the mistake I made with your brother." Jim was dazed.