“You are as faithful as a dog,” he laughed. “Another womanly characteristic.”

To this I made no answer.

“Why do you not answer?” he broke in at length. “I think you are growing dull.”

“I had better be dull than coarse,” I replied.

“Would your answer necessitate coarseness?”

“Perhaps not. But I am looking farther than my answer, to your reply.”

“My replies are never coarse, unless badly translated.”

“Then you should employ a good interpreter.”

“It is impossible to find one. As you know yourself, there is not a more maligned Spirit in existence than I.”

“How is the book going on?” I asked, interrupting him suddenly.