A pretext for two in an afternoon is always welcome.

Come on, let's bathe quick, so as to have it over with before the first of the other guests arrives, then we can get a breath of fresh air and be as keen for the second bath as for the first." Conversation with Tanno consisted mostly in listening and interjecting questions.

He wallowed in the cold tank like a porpoise; caught me and ducked me until I yelled for mercy, and while I was trying to get my breath, half drowned me with the water he splashed over me with both hands; talking incessantly, except when his head was under water.

When we lay down on the divan in the warm room he rattled on.
"You needn't tell me," he said, "that your runners haven't taken letters to Vedia, but she is supposed not to hear from you, so, as I told of two of your letters to me, I have, in a way been held responsible for you and have been pelted with inquiries.

Nemestronia loves you like a grandson, and, if you ask me, I say Vedia is in love with you out and out.