"Then we skimmed more trivialities.
"'Had he seen the new roller shaving apparatus?'
"'Did I approve Ladies' Tea Associations?'
"'Did he prefer German to French food, and was he a connoisseur of birds'-nest soup or frizzled frogs?'
"'Scarcely, but in his youth he had tackled periwinkles. That was valiant?'
"'Not at all. I was his match. I had eaten forty-two at a sitting!'
"'All self-picked with a pin?' he queried.
"'No,' I confessed, triumphantly, 'with a surer weapon still.'
"'I believe a pin is the orthodox weapon,' he advanced.
"'Take my advice next time and try a darning-needle.'