"Don't you know your bright and happy disposition is a thing beyond
price?" I argued.
"I know its price is heavy--I have paid it to you just now--I am paying
it every day of my life." There were tears in the voice.
I was at a loss what to say. A man is an awkward comforter at best,
and when he is guilty of bringing on the trouble, he is sure only to
make a worse mess of it. So I held my tongue and we rode a while in
silence.
She spoke first. "I know you are quite justified in your notion of
me," she said. "I have given you every reason to call me coquette,
flirt, or anything of that sort."