She came a step or two forward as she spoke; she held her copy of Homer in one hand. The book was somewhat heavy; as Kate pushed a chair forward it slipped and fell.
"Excuse me," said Mr. Danvers, "but that is not the way to treat a valuable book."
He stooped, placed it on the table, then looked full at Kate.
"You don't mean to say you are reading Greek?" he said.
"Yes, indeed I am," answered Kate; "and I have just come to a most difficult passage; I am making an awful mess of it. Maurice tells me that you are devoted to the classics; perhaps, while you are waiting, you will construe this passage for me."
"With pleasure; show me your translation."
"Oh, it is too poor for you to look at!"
"Show it to me; I can soon tell you if you have gone wrong."
Kate held up her exercise book.
"Take a chair, won't you?" she said.