"It is so cold this morning." John thought she was lovely to look at as she sat there, warming her hands and shielding her face from the flame with them at the same time.
She looked at him and smiled pleasantly, but said nothing.

She was still a little surprised to see him and wondered whether he himself had anything to say.
"Yes," said John, "it is very cold--traditional Christmas weather.

Could not be finer, in fact, could it ?" "No--it could not be finer," echoed Mrs.Goddard, suppressing a smile.
Then as though to help him out of his embarrassment by giving an impulse to the conversation, she added, "By the bye, Mr.Short, while we are warming ourselves why do not you let me hear one of your odes ?" She meant it kindly, thinking it would give him pleasure, as indeed it did.

John's heart leaped and he blushed all over his face with delight.
Mrs.Goddard was not quite sure whether she had done right, but she attributed his evident satisfaction to his vanity as a scholar.
"Certainly," he said with alacrity, "if you would like to hear it.

Would you care to hear me repeat the Greek first ?" "Oh, of all things.