"Besides what?" 

 "Well, booth, I'm awfully curious." 

 "What do you want to know?" 

 "You're very good." 

 "I didn't say I'd tell you." 

 "I'll risk that. In a word, why are you?" 

 "Ah!" 

 I waited in silence for a few moments. At length: 

 "Suppose," she said slowly, "suppose a bet had been made." 

 "A bet?" 

 "A bet." 

 "Shocking! Go on." 

 "Well? Isn't that enough?" 

 "Nothing like." 

 "I don't think much of your imagination." 

 I raised my eyes to heaven.  "A prophet is not without honour," I quoted. 

 "Is this your own country?" 

 "It is." 

 "Oh, I say, you'd be the very man!" 

 "I am," I said.  "Refuse substitutes." 

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