(“Aha!” quoth Ethan to himself, “I am learning.”)
“You were very disappointing,” she concluded severely.
“I am sorry, really. I realize now that I should have displayed astonishment and awe. Perhaps if you had said you were Laura—Laura Devereux, was it?—I would have really shown some emotion.”
“Why?” she questioned.
“Well, don’t you think—Laura, now, is—I’m afraid I can’t just explain.” He was watching her intently. She was studying her clasped hands. “I suppose what I meant was that Laura is such an attractive name, so—so musical, so melodious! And then coupled with Devereux it is even—even—er—more so!”
“Is it?” She didn’t look at him and her tone was almost icy.
(“I fancy that’ll hold you for awhile,” he said to himself. “My boy, you’re inclined to be a little too fresh; cut it out!”)
“I never thought Laura especially melodious,” she said.
“Perhaps you are prejudiced,” he suggested amiably.