She got run over by a milkcart." "When was that ?" she inquired, more out of politeness than interest in the career of Mr.Dix's maiden aunt.
"A minute before she died." "Oh," said Zora, taken aback by the emotionless manner in which he mentioned the tragedy.

Then, by way of continuing the conversation:-- "Why are you called Septimus ?" "I'm the seventh son.

All the others died young.

I never could make out why I didn't." "Perhaps," said Zora with a laugh, "you were thinking of something else at the time and lost the opportunity." "It must have been that," said he.

"I lose opportunities just as I always lose trains." "How do you manage to get anywhere ?" "I wait for the next train.