“I think I shall go and read to the Commissioner,” severely.
“It would only be wasting sweetness on the desert air. He’s perfectly happy at this moment, with Beardmore plotting treason in a confidential report, and about six clerks writing away for him as hard as they can write, and he wouldn’t appreciate an interruption.”
“I suppose you are judging Mr Burgrave by yourself when you say he will be happier if I keep away?”
“I? Oh no; I was judging him by himself. The Kumpsioner Sahib doesn’t think ladies and affairs of state go well together, you know.”
“Indeed?” Mabel was bitterly conscious that she bore a grudge against the Commissioner for this very reason, but she had no intention of admitting the fact.
“Why, do you mean that he vouchsafes to talk shop to you alone, out of all the world of women? What an important person you are, Miss North! Think of having the run of the Commissioner’s state secrets! But of course one can see why he does it. How unfairly people are dealt with in this world! Why have I no official secrets to confide? Supposing I spy round and amass some, may I expound them to you for three or four hours a day?”
“What nonsense!” said Mabel, with some warmth. “Mr Burgrave is only teaching me to appreciate Browning.”
“And you fly to state secrets for relief in the intervals! Miss North, won’t you teach me to appreciate Browning? I’ll wire to Bombay at once for the whole twenty-nine volumes, if you will.”
“I really have no time to waste——”
“Oh, how unkind! Consider the crushing effect of your words. Do you truly think me such an idiot that teaching me would be waste of time?”