"Why do men always bother so about their knees?"

"Take care of the bags, and the coats will take care of
themselves," I observed sententiously.

"But why- ?"

Here we came apon the seventh gate.

I groaned.

"Six gates shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do,
but the seventh- "

"Out you get, boy-scout."

I laid a hand on my companion's shoulder. "Are you an
enchantress?" I said. "At least, of course you are. But I mean,
is this the way to your castle, Circe? And am I going to be
turned into a herd of swine presently? They always have seven
gates and a dense forest through which I cut a path with my
sword, which, by the way, I have left in the tool-shed, unless
perchance, maiden, thou hast filched it from my side this last
half-hour. Note the blank verse again. I may say I am looking
at you narrowly."

"Fret not for thy sword, Sir Scout." she replied,
"neither flatter thyself that Circe wastes her spells on all who
come her way. Those only will she lure who- "