"A woman!" says Miss Blessington, cogitatively, resting her smooth chin on her hand, and looking vaguely round at the cabinets and busts for inspiration.
Esther makes no suggestion.
"A woman!" repeats Miss Blessington, raising her voice a little.
Esther comes back to consciousness with a little jump. "Oh! I beg your pardon; I don't think I was attending. A——what did you say?"
"A woman!" repeats Miss Blessington, for the third and last time.
"A woman!" echoes Esther, vacantly; "that is rather vague, is it not? There have been a good many women, one way or another."
"Let us try the next, then," says Constance, obligingly: "A wise man."
"Solomon!" answers Esther, glibly.
"I said a dissyllable name," remarks Constance, with gentle asperity.
The door opens, and St. John enters.