Another sidelong glance at him; then, after a
long silence, "Your book seems very interesting."
"I'll fling it against the wall if it does not mind," was the
infuriated reply. "Here are two fools quarreling, page after page, and
can't see, or won't see, what everybody else can see, that it is an
absurd misunderstanding. One word of common sense would put it all
right."
"Then why not put the book down and talk to me?"
"I can't. It won't let me. I must see how long the two fools will go
on not seeing what everybody else sees."
"Will not the number of volumes tell you that?"
"Signorina, don't you try to be satirical!" said the sprightly youth;
"you'll only make a mess of it. What is the use dropping one drop of
vinegar into such a great big honey pot?"
"You are a saucy boy," retorted Lucy, in tones of gentle approbation.
A long silence.
"Arthur, will you hold this skein for me?"
Arthur groaned.
"Never mind, dear. I will try and manage with a chair."
"No you won't, now; there."
The victim was caught by the hands. But with fatal instinctive
perverseness he sat in silent amazement watching Lucy's supple white
hand disentangling impossibilities instead of chattering as he was
intended to. Lucy gave a little sigh. Here was a dreadful
business--obliged to elicit the information she had resolved should be
forced upon her.
"By the by, Arthur," said she, carelessly, "did Mr. Dodd say anything
to you on the lawn?"
"What about?"
"About what was said after you went out so ru--so suddenly.
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