"A little while ago you were deaf; then dumb. And now—By the way," she cried, struck with a sudden reminiscence, "what has become of your dumbness?"
"Cured."
"A miracle. Listen then. And stop looking at that crack in the deck as if you'd lost your last remaining idea down it."
"To look up is dangerous."
"Where's the danger?"
"Dangerous to my principles," he explained. "You see, you are somewhat less painful to the accustomed eye than usual to-day, and if I should so far forget my principles as to mention that fact—"
"You haven't a principle to your name! You're untruthful—"
