She had turned to go; but there was something in the quiet finality of his tone which caused her to turn to him again.
"Why?"
"I think you're the first because you speak of paying for what, you ought to know, I'm only too glad to give; as if I were the sort of person to accept money from a lady who has been my guest!"
"I beg your pardon; I--I'm so stupid."
"I said you were. I think that you're the second because, no sooner are you through your own meal than you rush off, before your host has finished."
"I thought you had; I did not mean to be ill-mannered; I thought you wanted me to go."
"You are mistaken. It is another rule of mine--and this is a rule which I don't propose to break--when I am done with the actual eating and drinking, to smoke a pipe; I regard that pipe as an integral part of my breakfast. I don't know why you should wish to deprive me of it."
"I don't; I didn't know you wanted another; I saw you smoking one just now, before we began."
"That was because breakfast was unwontedly delayed; also that is no reason why now I shouldn't have another. When I am enjoying my breakfast pipe I like, when opportunity offers, to have a chat. You spoke of payment. I suggest that your payment takes the form of sitting down and talking to me till I have smoked my pipe right out. Have you any particular objection?"
"I don't mind staying, if you want me to, till you--you've done your pipe."