"He does say it, in a most beautiful way."
"It'd be a queer way of doing business!"
"It is not business," said Lois, laughing. "Charity, will you not understand? It is poetry."
"What is poetry?"
But alas! Charity had asked what nobody could answer, and she had the field in triumph.
"It is just a jingle-jangle, and what I call nonsense. Mother, ain't that what you would say is a waste of time?"
"I don't know, my dear," said Mrs. Armadale doubtfully, applying her knitting needle to the back of her ear.
"It isn't nonsense; it is delightful!" said Madge indignantly.
"You want me to go on, grandmother, don't you?" said Lois. "We want to know about the fight, when the two get to Coilantogle ford."
And as she was not forbidden, she went on; while Charity got the spice-box she had come for, and left the room superior.