kippy in an unmusical treble.

Vivi pretended to be immensely offended, Skippy was immensely concerned
that she should be offended. There was a long discussion whether he had
really offended, whether he should be really forgiven and whether he
really intended to renounce such airs of proprietorship in the future.
By this time the two bicycles were close together with Skippy's hands on
her handle-bars and the terms of peace were concluded by the young lady
condescending to return to his appreciative gaze from underneath the
lace brim of her hat whither she had taken refuge. They bicycled along
the beach and Skippy expressed his wonder at the extent of her wardrobe.
Vivi then remarked appreciatively upon his (or rather Snorky's) necktie.
The conversation then expanded, easily and naturally along classic
lines.

The theory was simplicity itself--who knows, perhaps it has remained the
same to this day! For the twelve hours consecrated to each other's
society each day, Skippy denied what Vivi affirmed unless it happened
that Vivi doubted what Skippy stated as a fact. There were of course
many ramifications, sometimes it was a question of you did and you
didn't, sometimes it was and it wasn't, while any future speculation was
confined to you will and you won't. As a matter of fact, nothing that
was said really mattered and each knew it. Words were only so many
verbal flourishes in the most fascinating of duels. Each played at the
undying passion with open parades and each was only secretly concerned
with bearing away the other's scalp.

They canoed together, walked together, picnicked together, making only
short public appearances at the beach for the swimming hour and the
evening hop. When they came to the club house they came late and danced
together on the porch to escape the exigencies of society. If some
unfeeling brute did arrive to claim Vivi, it was always understood that
the next dance reverted to Skippy, who meanwhile (this was de rigeur)
sat on the railing and looked dreadfully dejected. It was all very
serious business, strenuous as training for the football team--but
Skippy never relaxed. He had a reputation to sustain. Snorky gave him up
for lost. He no longer sought to warn him, but each night simply as a
matter of ceremony he passed his hand solicitously over the shock of
stubby hair which adorned Skippy's elongated cranium just to assure
himself that the scalp remained unbroken.

CHAPTER XXXVII

S