The listener smiled and smiled; had much ado, indeed, not to exhibit open gaiety; but ever and again his eyes rested on the girl's countenance, and its animation so pleased him that he saw even in her absurdities a spirit of good.
"You never did any work of that sort ?" inquired May, regarding him from a good-natured height.
"Never, I'm sorry to say." "But don't you sometimes feel as if it were a duty ?" "I often feel I ought to do _something_," answered Dymchurch, in a graver voice.

"But whether I could be of any use among the poor, is doubtful." "No, I hardly think you could," said May, reflectively.

"Your social position doesn't allow of that.

Of course you help to make laws, which is more important." "If I really did so; but I don't.

I have no more part in law-making than you have." "But, why not ?" asked May, gazing at him in surprise.