"
"A flower? Why, there is scarcely a point of resemblance."
The young man laughed, but the slight whimsical frown between his
brows deepened.
"Now that isn't at all what I expected you to say. I thought you might
be kind enough to inquire, 'What flower?' and then I could reply, 'The
queen of flowers.'"
Rose looked down a moment at the warm pink hands restlessly twining
and intertwining in her lap. "I am glad I did not make the inquiry,"
she said.
"You don't like clumsy compliments?"
"I believe I don't like any kind from you."
"Why, please?"
"I don't know exactly, unless because it seems natural to expect
something better."
Allan Dunlop was dimly aware that a compliment of a very high order
had been paid to himself. "Our best friends are those who compel us to
do our best," he said. "I hope you will always expect something better
of me than anything I have done."
It was the speech of an ambitious young man. They both recognized the
note of earnestness that seemed to place them for a moment above the
frivolous crowd about them. Only for a moment; then they lapsed easily
into the light talk so natural to the occasion.
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