“He can make it loud, but it is always low and gentle whenever he speaks to you. I have noticed that; so that is monstrous ungrateful of you.”
“There, the skein is wound. Arthur!”
“Well?”
“I have a great mind to tell you something your friend Mr. Dodd said while you were out of the room—but no, you shall finish your story first.”
“No, no; hang the story!”
“Ah! you only say that out of politeness. I have taken you from it so long already.”
The impetuous boy jumped up, seized the volumes, dashed out, and presently came running back, crying: “There, I have thrown them behind the bookcase for ever and ever. Now will you tell me what he said?”
Lucy smiled triumphantly. She could relish a bloodless victory over an inanimate rival. Then she said softly, “Arthur, what I am going to tell you is in confidence.”
“I will be torn in pieces before I betray it,” said the young chevalier.
Lucy smiled at his extravagance, then began again very gravely: “Mr. Talboys, who, with many good qualities, has—what shall I say?—narrow and artificial views compared with your friend—”