` There is room for all ; and if you will leave us the books , we will cheerfully yield the baseball , boating , dancing , and flirting , which seem to be the branches you prefer , ' answered Alice sweetly . ` Ah , now you are too hard upon us ! We ca n't grind all the time and you ladies do n't seem to mind taking a turn at the two latter `` branches '' you mention , ' returned Dolly , with a glance at George which plainly said , ' I had her there . ' ` Some of us do in our first years . Later we give up childish things , you see . Do n't let me keep you from Parnassus ' ; and a smiling nod dismissed them , smarting under the bitter consciousness of youth . ` You got it there , Doll . Better not try to fence with these superior girls . Sure to be routed , horse , foot , and dragoons , ' said Stuffy , lumbering away , somewhat cross with too many spreads . ` So deuced sarcastic ! Do n't believe she 's much older than we are . Girls grow up quicker , so she need n't put on airs and talk like a grandmother , ' muttered Dolly , feeling that he had sacrificed his kids upon the altar of an ungrateful Pallas . ` Come along and let 's find something to eat . I 'm faint with so much talking . Old Plock cornered me and made my head spin with Kant and Hegel and that lot . ' ' I promised Dora West I 'd give her a turn . Must look her up ; she 's a jolly little thing , and does n't bother about anything but keeping in step . ' And arm in arm the boys strolled away , leaving Alice to read music as diligently as if society had indeed no charms for her . As she bent to turn a page , the eager young man behind the piano saw the rose and was struck speechless with delight . A moment he gazed , then hastened to seize the coveted place before a new detachment of bores arrived .
` Alice , I ca n't XXXXX it -- did you understand -- how shall I ever thank you ? '
believe gazed give keeping let promised put sacrificed strolled talk