That I might explain myself, you made me for a moment serious, set me squirming in my turn." She moved a little, and he fell into step beside her.

A little while there was silence.
Presently--"You find me, no doubt, as amusing as any other of your human worms," said she.
"God forbid!" he answered soberly.
She laughed.

"You make an exception in my case, then.

That is a subtle flattery!" "Have I not said that I had judged you to be an exceptional woman ?" "Exceptionally foolish, not a doubt." "Exceptionally beautiful; exceptionally admirable," he corrected.
"A clumsy compliment, devoid of wit!" "When we grow truthful, it may be forgiven us if we fall short of wit." "That were an argument in favor of avoiding truth." "Were it necessary," said he.

"For truth is seldom so intrusive as to need avoiding.