I have heard such tones, in the Far West, from lonely settlers without a neighbouring soul to speak to.

Has Mrs.Farnaby no neighbouring soul to speak to, except at dinner parties?
"You are an Englishman, are you not ?" she went on.
I said Yes, and cast about in my mind for something to say to her.

She saved me the trouble by making me the victim of a complete series of questions.

This, as I afterwards discovered, was _her_ way of finding conversation for strangers.

Have you ever met with absent-minded people to whom it is a relief to ask questions mechanically, without feeling the slightest interest in the answers?
She began.