He says that, much to his regret, he sees a time coming when every man will pronounce even the common words of his own tongue as seems right in his own ears, and be thought none the worse for it; that the speaking age is passing away, to make room for the writing age.' Both Elfride and her father had waited attentively to hear Stephen go on to what would have been the most interesting part of the story, namely, what circumstances could have necessitated such an unusual method of education.

But no further explanation was volunteered; and they saw, by the young man's manner of concentrating himself upon the chess-board, that he was anxious to drop the subject.
The game proceeded.

Elfride played by rote; Stephen by thought.

It was the cruellest thing to checkmate him after so much labour, she considered.

What was she dishonest enough to do in her compassion?
To let him checkmate her.