"Well, only one or two come to see me, and--no--none of them has yet.
I suppose it's because I'm always so busy; and then I'm not pretty and
rich like the other girls here."
"You are pretty," he declared, "and far more interesting than any other
girl in the hotel. I think you exceedingly captivating."
For that compliment I was truly grateful, and I thanked him for saying
it. Then he said:
"Let me kiss you just once, won't you?" Again he put his arm about me,
and this time I had to struggle considerably to release myself. When he
let me go, he said almost testily:
"Don't make such a fuss. I'm not going to force you," and then after a
moment, "By the way, why do you object to being kissed?" just as if it
were unusual for a girl to object to that.
"I'll tell you why," I said tremulously, for it is impossible for a
young girl to be unmoved when a man tries to kiss her, "because I want
to be in love with the first man who kisses me."
"And you cannot care for me?"