"Surely you must!" she insisted.

"No," he contended in stubborn melancholy.

"Oh, I see. You wish to make a present--?"

"I--ah--suppose so," he admitted under pressure--"yes."

"Evening gloves are always acceptable. Does she go often to the
theatre?"

"I--don't know."

The least suspicion of perplexed frown knitted the eyebrows of Miss
Lessing.

"Well ... is she old or young?"

"I--ah--couldn't say."

"Mr. Sybarite!" said the young woman with decision.

He fixed an apprehensive gaze to hers--which inclined to disapproval,
if with reservations.

"Yes, Miss Lessing?"

"Do you really want to buy gloves?"