"Indeed, they are the most truly ambitious," I retorted; "their dreams are so vast, so infinite, so far beyond all puny human strength and capacity that they, perforce, must remain dreamers always. Epictetus himself—"
"I wish," sighed Charmian, "I do wish—"
"What do you wish?"
"That you were not—"
"That I was not?"
"Such a—pedant!"
"Pedant!" said I, somewhat disconcerted.
"And you have a way of echoing my words that is very irritating."
"I beg your pardon," said I, feeling much like a chidden schoolboy; "and I am sorry you should think me a pedant."
"And you are so dreadfully precise and serious," she continued.