"Not at all"; which was true enough. He might have been miles away for all the notice the lady appeared to take of him.
"One has to come into the country to learn manners."
"One has to come into the country to do what?"
As if conscious that he was skating on thin ice, Mr. Ely endeavoured to retrace his steps.
"Considering that only this morning you promised to be my wife, I think that you might have something to say."
Partially closing the book, but keeping one slender finger within it to mark the place, the lady condescended to look up.
"Why should you think that?"
"I believe it is usual for persons in our situation to have something to say to each other, but I don't know, I'm sure."
The lady entirely closed her book and placed it on a little table at her side. "What shall we talk about?"
The gentleman was still. Under such circumstances the most gifted persons might have found it difficult to commence a conversation.