“What do you mean by ‘fencing’?”
“The manner of our conversations.”
“You mean that it is not sincere—that it is badinage? Why do you do it, then?”
“I am only too ready to change our ground.”
“I do not know what you mean.”
Vane bowed his disbelief in this remark and rose to go.
“Ah! do not go yet. I am so lonely to-day, and it is just the hour of the day when there is nothing to do. I have no work and my poor eyes are too weak to read. They are not even useful!”
“Why do you imply they are not ornamental? Why do you say what you do not mean?”
“But I do mean it.”
“You know you have lovely eyes.”