He drew back with a gesture of annoyance.

"I wouldn't be kissed at all that way," he said, hotly.

"Why not?"

"Because it's not the right way. A bird is not a man!"

She laughed merrily.

"Nor a man a bird, though he may have a bird's name!" she said.
"Oh, Robin, how clever you are!"

He leaned closer.

"Let Cupid go!" he pleaded,--"I want to ride home on the last load
with you alone."

Another little peal of laughter escaped her.

"I declare you think Cupid an actual person!" she said. "If he'll
go, he shall. But I think he'll stay."

She loosened her hold of the dove, which, released, gravely hopped
up to her shoulder and sat there pruning its wing. She glanced
round at it.

"I told you so!" she said,--"He's a fixture."