"I plume myself on that.

Surely my present sample is not so much below the average that you need ask me that." "I did not recognize that it _was_ small talk," said Hugh, with a faint smile.

"If it really is, I can only say I shall have brain fever if you pass on to what _you_ might call conversation." It was to him as if a miniature wavelet of a great ocean somewhere in the distance had crept up to laugh and break at his feet.

He did not recognize that this tiniest runlet which fell back at once was of the same element as the tidal wave which had swept over him yesternight.
"But are you aware," said Rachel, dropping her voice a little, "it is beginning to dawn upon me that this evening's gathering is met together for exalted conversation, and perhaps we ought to be practising a little.

I feel certain that after dinner you will be 'drawn through the clefts of confession' by Miss Barker, the woman in the high dinner gown with orange velvet sleeves.