"As long as I like to listen to it." "I wish you would leave me alone." "But suppose I can't ?" He was still chaffing.

He would continue to chaff, she was convinced, if he were dying.

"Suppose I ain't made that way ?" "I don't care how you're made.

You may talk to Father if you like; but I'm going upstairs to take off my hat." His chuckle swelled into a roar of laughter.

"Talk to Father! Haven't I been talking to Father over at the Capitol for the last three hours ?" They had reached the gate beyond the monument, and swinging suddenly round, she started back toward the house.