"Chiefly to discover my own deplorable ignorance, I live and unlearn," and she laughed.
"Really"—also smiling—"and how?"
"Well, for instance, until last week I was under the impression that America had been discovered by Christopher Columbus, in the year 1492."
"I fancy that most people are still labouring under the same delusion."
"But it is quite wrong"—shrugging her shoulders—"it was found by Buddhist priests in the fourth century, at least so says a book that I have just finished, and there does not seem to be the smallest doubt upon the question in the author's mind."
"Miss Denis," said her listener, gravely, "your reading is too deep for me, and I shall be quite afraid of you. The next time I see you, you will be telling me that it is all a mistake about the battle of Waterloo, that there was no such person as Queen Elizabeth, and that Ireland was first discovered by the Japanese."
Helen laughed immoderately, and then said,—
"Why Ireland of all places?"
"I don't know, unless because it is generally the unexpected that happens with regard to that country."
"Have you ever been there?"