"What makes you so keen after them, all in a hurry?" demanded Mrs. Stuart. "That isn't your fashion commonly."
Archie reddened, feeling conscious. He did not want to speak about Nancy.
"I like Dunn," he said. "We walked home together, part of the way. He's a scholar, and no mistake. Got lots of books, and read them all. I found out by asking—something he said about father started me off. And he wouldn't mind lending me a volume now and then. I should like that! Why, I should think he reads more books in a year than all the other men in our works put together."
"Mayn't be any better man for that," said Mrs. Stuart snappishly. "I don't hold with such a lot of reading. Has he got any family?"
Archie could only answer, "Yes."
"How many children?"
"Three, I believe."
"Any grown-up girls?"
"Only one," said Archie.
"You've not seen her?"