She seemed to have thoughts of her own; but she shook them off with a little firm motion of the shoulders, and, with the assumption of a demureness of manner and an airy petulance, said: "Well, amuse me." "Amuse you ?" was my reply.

"Delighted to do so if I can.

How ?" "Talk to me," was the quick response.
"Would that accomplish the purpose ?" This in a tone of mock protest.
"Please don't be foolish, Dr.Marmion.I dislike having to explain.

Tell me things." "About what ?" "Oh, about yourself--about people you have met, and all that; for I suppose you have seen a good deal and lived a good deal." "About hospital cases ?" I said a little maliciously.
"No, please, no! I abhor everything that is sick and poor and miserable." "Well," said I, at idle venture, "if not a hospital, what about a gaol ?" I felt the hand on my arm twitch slightly, and then her reply came.
"I said I hated everything that was wretched and wicked.

You are either dense, or purposely irritating." "Well, then, a college ?" "A college?
Yes, that sounds better.