"Nor did I!" and he laughed--"Nor am I. I said just now that I had
the 'Kultur' of a super-German--and a super-German means something
above every other male creature except himself. He cannot get away
from himself--nor can I! That's the trouble! Come, obey me, Manella!
Sit down here beside me!"

Very slowly and very reluctantly she did as he requested. She sat on
the grass some three or four paces off. He stretched out a hand to
touch her, but she pushed it back very decidedly. He smiled.

"I mustn't make love to you this morning, eh?" he queried. "All
right! I don't want to make love--it doesn't interest me--I only
want to put you in a good temper! You are like a rumpled pussy-cat--
your fur must be stroked the right way."

"YOU will not stroke it so!" said Manella, disdainfully.

"No?"

"No. Never again!"

"Oh, dire tragedy!" And he stretched himself out on the turf with
his arms above his head--"But what does it matter! Give me your
news, silly child! What did the 'little wonderful white woman' say
to you?"

"You want to know?"

"I think so! I am conscious of a certain barbaric spirit of