Iris, of course, was quite innocent this time.
"Oh, do tell me. Was it from 'Enoch Arden'?"
He gave a sigh of relief. "No. Anything but that," he answered.
"What then?"
"'Maud.'"
"Oh, 'Maud.' It is very beautiful, but I could never imagine why the poet gave such a sad ending to an idyllic love story."
"They too often end that way. Moreover, 'Enoch Arden' is not what you might call exhilarating."
"No. It is sad. I have often thought he had the 'Sonata Pathétique' in his mind when he wrote it. But the note is mournful all through. There is no promise of happiness as in 'Maud.'"
"Then it is my turn to ask questions. Why did you hit upon that poem among so many?"
"Because it contains an exact description of our position here. Don't you remember how the poor fellow