She laughed. “You make an exception in my case, then. That is a subtle flattery!”
“Have I not said that I had judged you to be an exceptional woman?”
“Exceptionally foolish, not a doubt.”
“Exceptionally beautiful; exceptionally admirable,” he corrected.
“A clumsy compliment, devoid of wit!”
“When we grow truthful, it may be forgiven us if we fall short of wit.”
“That were an argument in favor of avoiding truth.”
“Were it necessary,” said he. “For truth is seldom so intrusive as to need avoiding. But we are straying. There was a score upon which you were inquisitive, you said; from which I take it that you sought knowledge at my hands. Pray seek it; I am a well, of knowledge.”
“I desired to know—Nay, but I have asked you already. I desired to know did you deem me a very pitiful little fool?”
They had reached the privet hedge, and turned. They paused now before resuming their walk. He paused, also, before replying. Then: