"A woman at twenty-seven is centuries older than a man at thirty," added Diana, "except, of course, in some things. Theoretically, Silvie and I are highly instructed; practically, the man of thirty is more specifically intelligent, which is no compliment to the man of thirty."
Edgerton, still astonished, sat back in his chair, considering.
"Do you know," he said, "I never suspected I had two such relatives in the world, who wear the appearance of débutantes with an assurance that convinces until their wit and wisdom convict them. Where were you educated, anyway?"
"In a southern boarding school and in a western university. After that, Silvette studied law and was admitted to the bar. I am entitled to practice medicine," she added demurely. "Does that scare you?"
"Do you think it has spoiled us?" asked Silvette so naïvely that he made no attempt to control his laughter.
"Why on earth don't you do those two things?" he managed to ask at last. "If you're entitled to exercise professions, why don't you?"
"We only studied out of curiosity," explained Diana. "We never intended to follow it up. Of course, we expected to remain always in pleasant financial circumstances."
"Anyway," added Silvette, "it's too late now to sit in an office and wait for clients and patients. Besides, it's a stuffy life. We dance better, and we decorate a drawing-room to more advantage than an office building."
"You have thoroughly scared me," he said, looking at them admiringly.
Diana glanced up, then flushed.