"No, only to peck at."

"But listen to Miss Addie's proposal. If I mistake not, there is
no end of fun in it," said Mr. Harcourt.

"I've thought of something better than shocking him. These Western
men are not easily shocked. They see all kinds out there. What I
suggest would be a better joke, and give us all a chance to enjoy
the sport. Suppose, Lottie, you assume to be the good and pious
one of our party, and in this character form his acquaintance. He
will soon be talking religion to you, and like enough, making love
and wanting you to go with him as a missionary to the Cannibal
Islands."

"If you go, O that I were king of them!" broke in De Forrest.

"You mean, you would have Lottie for dinner, I suppose," continued
Miss Marchmont. "She would be served up properly as a tart."

"No," he retorted, "as sauce piquante. She could make a long life
a highly seasoned feast."

"You evidently are an Epicurean philosopher; all your thoughts seem
to run on eating," said Lottie, sharply.

"But what say you to my suggestion?" asked Addie Marchmont. "I think
it would be one of the best practical jokes I ever knew. The very
thought of such an incorrigible witch as you palming yourself off
as a demure Puritan maiden is the climax of comical absurdity."