But the girl's face was gay, and he ventured on the truth.
"Well, no, I can't say I do.

My father reads a deal of poetry aloud." "And it bores you ?" "Well, I don't understand it," he said, slowly and candidly.
"Don't you even read the papers ?" asked Diana, wondering.
He started.
"Why, I should think I do!" he cried.

"I should rather think I do! That's another thing altogether--that's not books." "Then perhaps you read the debate last night ?" She looked at him with a kindling eye.
"Of course I did--every word of it! Do you know what those Radical fellows are up to now?
They'll never rest until we've lost the Khaibar--and then the Lord only knows what'll happen." Diana flew into discussion--quick breath, red cheeks! Mrs.Colwood looked on amazed.
Presently both appealed to her, the Anglo-Indian.

But she smiled and stammered--declining the challenge.

Beside their eagerness, their passion, she felt herself tongue-tied.