"That is precisely why I asked you to sing." "What made you suspect me ?" inquired Hippy, apparently impressed.
"I suspected you on general principles," was the retort.
"If you had had any general principles you wouldn't have suspected me," parried Hippy.
"I won't even think about you the next time," was the withering reply.
Nora rose and made her way to the other end of the veranda, perching on the porch railing beside Tom Gray.
"Come back, Nora," wailed Hippy.

"You may suspect me." "Isn't he too ridiculous for anything ?" whispered Nora, smothering a giggle and trying to look severe.

Her attempt failed ignominiously when Hippy, with an exaggeratedly contrite expression on his fat face, sidled up to her, salaamed profoundly, lost his balance and sprawled on all fours at her feet.

A shout of merriment arose from his friends.

Hippy, unabashed, scrambled to his feet and began bowing again before Nora, this time taking care not to bend too far forward.
"You are forgiven, Hippy," declared Miriam.