Ba'tiste pushed him gently.
"Peuff! And when did M'sieu Thayer become _l' M'sieu Doctaire_?
Ba'teese say ask him if he like you." Medaine laughed.
"Do you like me ?" Brown eyes met blue eyes.

A smile passed between them.

It was with an effort that Houston remembered that he was only playing a part.
"I certainly do!" "Ask him, 'Do you like me better than anybody you ever--'" "What sense is there to all this ?" "Blooey! And why should you ask?
Why should you stand with a frown on your face?
Peuff! It is ugly enough already!" To Barry, it was quite evident that there was some purpose behind the actions of Old Ba'tiste, and certainly more than mere pleasantry in his words.

"You ask Medaine to help Ba'teese, and then _facher vous_! Enough.

Ask him, Medaine." "But--" the girl was laughing now, her eyes beaming, a slight flush apparent in her cheeks--"maybe he doesn't want me to--" "Oh, but I do!" There was something in the tone of Barry Houston which made the color deepen.