A longing to get back to the others to play, and win at her favourite game of tennis, has been in part the cause of her ready forgiveness.
"Certainly they want you," says he, surprised at himself for the touch of chagrin he feels.

"But," still holding her, "you have quite made it up with me, haven't you ?" "Quite--quite." "But what a way to make it up!" says Rylton reproachfully.
He is smiling all through, however.
"What's the matter with it ?" asks Tita.
"Don't you know?
Must I tell you?
Last night, Tita, you told me you would never want to kiss me again." "Well, kissing's a bore," says Tita, with a little grimace.

"I never want to kiss anyone really, except----" She hesitates.
"Except ?" asks Rylton, his grasp tighter on her arms.
"Except Margaret." Rylton bursts out laughing; for the moment he believes her, afterwards-- "What a baby you are!" says he; "and what a cruel baby! Tita, I shan't believe you have forgiven me unless you----" "I think it is _you_ who are the baby," says she, with a shrug.
"What on earth _do_ you want to kiss me for?
Well, there," holding up to him the coolest, freshest cheek in the world, "you can kiss me if you like." "Is that all ?" says Rylton, somewhat piqued.
"Yes--all," with decision.

"I can't bear people to kiss me on my mouth." "Perhaps you would prefer that people would not kiss you at all ?" "Well, yes, I should," says she.

"But," quickly, "of course, you are not quite like other people.