“And what is the interesting book for to-day?”
“It is a little volume by Henry James, entitled The Siege of London.”
“Why, I never knew that London had been besieged. When did that happen?”
“Well, I haven’t got very far in the book yet, but it seems to have happened quite recently, within a year or two, I think. It is one of the latest of Mr. James’s short stories. I have not read it yet.”
“Ah, then the siege is not historical?”
“Not historical further than Mr. James is the historian.”
“Now, Miss Earle, are you good at reading out loud?”
“No, I am not.”
“Why, how decisively you say that. I couldn’t answer like that, because I don’t know whether I am or not. I have never tried any of it. But if you will allow me, I will read that book out to you. I should like to have the good points indicated to me, and also the defects.”
“There are not likely to be many defects,” said the young lady. “Mr. James is a very correct writer. But I do not care either to read aloud or have a book read to me. Besides, we disturb the conversation or the reading of any one else who happens to sit near us. I prefer to enjoy a book by reading it myself.”