“What a stupid remark!” thought Viola, and looking at him again he did not seem quite so jolly. She noticed that his eyes were set too closely together—and they were too small. Horrible thought, that he should prove stupid.
“What do you do all day?” she asked hastily.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Why should I do anything?”
“Oh, don’t imagine for one moment that I condemn such wisdom—only it sounds too good to be true!”
“What’s that?”—he craned forward. “What sounds too good to be true?” Yes—there was no denying it—he looked silly.
“I suppose the searching after Fräulein Schäfer doesn’t occupy all your days.”
“Oh no”—he smiled broadly—“that’s very good! By Jove! no. I drive a good bit—are you keen on horses?”
She nodded. “Love them.”