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 be able to rub your nose, and you would soon get tired of that."

"How absurd you are," she cried. "I certainly should get tired of it. Besides," she added inconsequently, "you would rub the powder off."

"But it was the cow's nose."

"You said my nose."

"Temporarily leaving the question of whose nose for a later discussion," he said, "may I ask why this expression of satisfaction at the august decrees of Providence."

"It would be so monotonous," she objected.

"But I take it that even cows have their moments," he suggested.

"Oh, you don't understand," she cried with mock impatience.

"I think I do," he said quietly. "But it has been better said elsewhere, has it not?"

"Elsewhere?"

"'I thank Thee that I am not as other men are,'" he quoted, and then added, "for 'other men,' however, read 'cows.'"

"Oh!" There was consternation in her voice. "Did it sound like that? How dreadful."

"You have every justification."

"Please don't."

"I'm very sorry," he said, recognising the genuine entreaty in her voice. "Before coffee comes I want you to drink a toast with me."

"A toast?" she repeated, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, please tell me what it is."