Everard spoke of them in a light, agreeable way, avoiding the tone of instruction, and, in short, giving evidence of good taste.

Rhoda listened with a look of civil interest, but asked no question, and smiled only when it was unavoidable.
Presently the talk turned to things of home.
'Have you heard of your friend Mr.Poppleton ?' the hostess asked.
'Poppleton?
Nothing whatever.

I should like to see him.' 'I'm sorry to tell you he is in a lunatic asylum.' As Barfoot kept the silence of astonishment, his cousin went on to tell him that the unhappy man seemed to have lost his wits among business troubles.
'Yet I should have suggested another explanation,' remarked the young man, in his most discreet tone, 'You never met Mrs.Poppleton ?' Seeing that Miss Nunn had looked up with interest, he addressed himself to her.
'My friend Poppleton was one of the most delightful men--perhaps the best and kindest I ever knew, and so overflowing with natural wit and humour that there was no resisting his cheerful influence.

To the amazement of every one who knew him, he married perhaps the dullest woman he could have found.

Mrs.Poppleton not only never made a joke, but couldn't understand what joking meant.