"You know it, don't you?" Claude said, as she was silent.
"I've read it, but quite a while ago. I don't remember it well. Of course I know it's very wonderful. Madre loves it."
"She was speaking of it at the Shiffney's the other night. That's why it occurred to me to study it."
"Oh. Well, now you have stopped shall we have tea?"
"Yes. I've done enough for to-day."
After tea Charmian said:
"I'll study The Hound of Heaven again. But now do you mind if I read you two or three of the things I have here?"
"No," he said kindly, but not at all eagerly. "Do read anything you like."
It was six o'clock when Charmian read Watson's poem "to finish up with." Claude who, absorbed secretly by the thought of his new composition, had listened so far without any keen interest, at moments had not listened at all, though preserving a decent attitude and manner of attention, suddenly woke up into genuine enthusiasm.
"Give me that, Charmian!" he exclaimed. "I scarcely ever write a song. But I'll set that."