"Now let us hand the book to Miss Chandos that she may make her selection." As he spoke he took it from Mrs. Lepell, and held it to Verona. After a slight pause, she said: "I really think mine is the best of all."
"Then I challenge you to let us hear it," said Salwey.
In a low steady voice she at once began to read aloud:
"'Our life is but a winter's day,
Some breakfast and away,
Others to dinner stay—and are well fed,
The oldest sups and goes to bed.
Large is the debt who lingers out the day,
Who goes the soonest—has the least to pay.'"
"So you would go soon?" looking at the girl interrogatively.