”‘Everything’ can’t be very much, I expect,” said Claudia. “He must want occupation.”
“Oh, do you think so?” Miss Baynes opened her eyes. “My brother always says that the county business alone is enough for any man.”
“Perhaps, as to quantity.” Her emphasis pointed the remark, but her companion only assented cheerfully, and proceeded to break fresh ground.
“Are you musical?” she asked.
“No. I found there was no time in which to take up music thoroughly, so I dropped it. What do you do?”
“Play—sing—fiddle. I love it better than anything in the world.”
Claudia’s face warmed.
“Oh,” she said, sitting up and speaking energetically, “then of course you really go in for it. Do you teach?”
“Teach? No,” returned the bewildered Ruth. “Why should I?”
“To be of use—to spread your knowledge, to make it something more than a mere amusement. Otherwise of what good is it?”