SHE. I said _that?_

HE. They were your first words. (_Produces match-safe from
trouser pocket._)

SHE. But you didn't have to kiss me.

HE. No? (_Trying to strike a match. It is wet. So are the
others._)

SHE. You didn't have to!

HE. I tried to explain that I was not your mother, but you seemed
to know better. (_He throws the cigarette away._) You insisted. I
couldn't help it.

SHE. (_After a pause, coquettishly_) What do you mean: you
couldn't "help it"?

HE. (_Perfectly willing to flirt_) You know--(_He hesitates._)

SHE. (_Encouragingly_) Yes?

HE. You're a pretty girl--a deucedly pretty girl.

SHE. Oh, no!

HE. But you are; honor bright!

SHE. You really think so?

HE. (_Nods_) There was no one around. It was the kind of an
opportunity which does not present itself every day: life is so--
monotonous. And you didn't seem to object.

SHE. (_Coyly_) I couldn't very well--not while I was unconscious.

HE. That's so. I am a man, with a man's tastes. And you begged me
so hard--it was so inviting--well, I kissed you.

SHE. (_After a pause_) On the lips?

HE. Yes. On the lips.

SHE. (_After a pause_) How often?

HE. Eh?

SHE. How often did you kiss me?

HE. Only once.

SHE. Was that all?

HE. (_With a smile_) Why, it's hardly worth mentioning.

SHE. (_Going to him and taking his hands magnanimously_) Well, I
forgive you.

HE. Thank you.

SHE. (_Invitingly_) Two kisses is not a great deal for saving my
life.

HE. No?

SHE. I owe you much more than that!

HE. (_Standing motionless_) Really?

SHE. (_With her lips half an inch from his_) Really! (_A pause._)
Really! (_He does not kiss her. She gives it up. Sits on the log,
drawing him to her side._) You must tell me all about yourself.
Just think: if it hadn't been for you, I would be at the bottom
of the lake now. What a horrible tragedy that would have been: to
die in such a way! . . . (_She pauses._) It's natural that I
should want to know something about the man who saved me from
that. . . .

HE. (_With embarrassment_) I don't like to talk about myself----

SHE. (_Interrupting encouragingly_) You're still a young man,
aren't you?

HE. Thirty-one.

SHE. (_Laying her hand on his_) Are you?

HE. (_Nodding_) Last November.

SHE. (_Lying with the insouciance of expertness_) I'm just
twenty. (_He nods his head, without showing the least sign of
disbelief._) Eleven years between us.

HE. Just the right ages, aren't we?