This surprised him still more, and he mentally designated her the oddest fish he had come across.
“Oh, don’t mention it,” he replied with a paternal air. “I like people who say what they think.” There was a pause, then he asked: “I suppose you are fond of theatres?”
“I have never been to one.”
“Never been to a theatre!” he gasped. “Impossible! Why you haven’t done anything!”
Paddy leaned forward suddenly. “Have you ever shot a snipe?” she said.
“No,” wonderingly.
“Well, I have,” and she closed her lips with an expressive snap, and there was a slight pause.
“You’re a—er—sportswoman then?” at last.
“I don’t shoot my bird sitting, if that’s what you mean.”
Basil had no mind to reveal his ignorance upon sport generally, so he tried another tack, asking: “I suppose you have read all the new novels.”