"What is bimetallism?" asked Lady Robert.
Her husband looked appealingly round the table. "Think what my married life will be if she begins asking questions like that already!" Then he turned to his wife. "Bimetallism, my dear Violet, is the opposite of monometallism; let that suffice you."
"But what is monometallism?" persisted Violet.
"Monometallism is the opposite of monomania," replied Isabel; but Paul endeavoured—though of course vainly—to explain the terms to his wife's pretty cousin.
"I cannot stand young girls myself," agreed Lady Farley, "they are afraid of me, and I have no mercy on them."
"Then you ought to have," said Lord Bobby.
"I do not see the compulsion."
"Ah! Lady Farley," he continued, "you must remember that the quality of mercy should not be measured out by teaspoonfuls in a medicine-glass, but should be sent round in a watering-cart by the County Council."
"I know that," replied Lady Farley laughing, "nevertheless young girls are simple, and I never can stand simplicity."
"Neither can I," agreed Mr. Kesterton, "simple dinners and simple women are alike abhorrent to me, because they both always agree with me and that is so tiresome."