“Have you an earache, Professor Kent?” she inquired maliciously.
“Yes. No. It’s a habit,” muttered the caller, releasing his hold and immediately resuming it.
“Isn’t it very painful?”
“Of course it is,” said he testily; “when I forget to let go in time—as I frequently do.”
“As you are doing now,” she suggested.
Kent bestowed a final yank upon the dried fount of inspiration, and gave it up as hopeless.
“I don’t know exactly how to begin,” he complained.
“Then I will help you,” said she, becoming suddenly grave. “You are here to speak to me of some topic, wholly distinct from one forbidden phase.”
“Exactly. You make it difficult for me by that restriction. And I rather like difficulties—in reason. Let me see. Have you lost any jewels lately, Mrs. Blair?”
The girl-widow started. “Yes. How did you know?”