"
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--"Oh, I don't mind the badgering of a number of
men; it's rather nice. It's the one badger I find obnoxious."
_True Love_ (impatiently).--"That's just the perversity of things. I
could put a stop to the protestations of the many; I should like nothing
better--but the pertinacity of the one! Ah, well! I can't drop that
without putting an end to my existence."
_Bailiff's Daughter_ (politely).--"I shouldn't think of suggesting
anything so extreme."
_True Love_ (quoting).--"'Mrs. Hauksbee proceeded to take the conceit out
of Pluffles as you remove the ribs of an umbrella before re-covering.'
However, you couldn't ask me anything seriously that I wouldn't do, dear
Mistress Perversity."
_Bailiff's Daughter_ (yielding a point).--"I'll put that boldly to the
proof. Say you don't love me!"
_True Love_ (seizing his advantage).--"I don't! It's imbecile and
besotted devotion! Tell me, when may I come to take you away?"
_Bailiff's Daughter_ (sighing).--"It's like asking me to leave Heaven."
_True Love_.--"I know it; she told me where to find you,--Thornycroft is
the seventh poultry-farm I've visited,--but you could never leave Heaven,
you can't be happy without poultry, why that is a wish easily gratified.
I'll get you a farm to-morrow; no, it's Saturday, and the real estate
offices close at noon, but on Monday, without fail. Your ducks and
geese, always carrying it along with you.
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