She bit her lips and tapped her cheek with the fan. (Did I mention the bloomy cheeks?)

"Perhaps I am only one of Cinderella's elder sisters."

"That would be very unfortunate. You will recollect that the elder sisters cut off their—"

"Good gracious!"

"Cut off their toes in the mad effort to capture the prince," I continued.

"But I am not trying to capture any prince, not even a fairy prince; and I wouldn't—"

"Cut off your toes?" I suggested questioningly.

"Prolong this questionable conversation, only—"