You see that border there ?"--he pointed--"Well, I barely know a peony from a cabbage.

Perhaps you do ?" He turned towards her hopefully; and Mrs.Friend felt the charm, as many other women had felt it before her, of the meditative blue eyes, under the black and heavy brow.

She shook her head smiling.
He smiled in return.
"But, if you don't--would you mind--again--pretending?
Would you see the old fellow, some time this morning--and tell him to do exactly what he damn pleases--I beg your pardon!--it slipped out.

If not, he'll come into my study, and talk a jargon of which I don't understand a word, for half an hour.

And as he's stone deaf, he doesn't understand a word I say.
Moreover when he's once there I can't get him out.