"I wish she had not come," he said; "she makes unpleasant remarks."
"She does; she laughed at my epic to-day." The Poet, who sat in a dressing-gown, drew the cord tighter round his waist, and tossed up his head with a gesture of indignation.
"And she laughed at my picture."
"She is dangerous, Humphrey."
"She watches people when they go for a morning walk, Cornelius, and makes allusion to the Carnarvon Arms and to afternoon naps."
"If, Humphrey, we have once or twice been obliged to go to the Carnarvon Arms——"
"Or have been surprised into an afternoon nap, Cornelius——"
"That is no reason why we should be ashamed to have the subjects mentioned. I should hope that this young lady would not speak of Us—of You, brother Humphrey, and of Myself—save with reverence."
"She has no reverence, brother Cornelius."
"Jane certainly tells me," said the Poet, "that a short time ago she brought Mr. Ronald Dunquerque, then a complete stranger, to my room, when I happened by the rarest accident to be asleep, and showed me to him."