The hot blood turned his white forehead red as Claudius finished reading.

He could not believe his eyes, and the room swam for a moment; for he was very much in love, this big Swede.

Then he grew pale again and quite calm, and read the note over.

Novels indeed! What did he know about novels?
He would ask her plainly if she wanted his company on the yacht or no.

He would say, "Shall I come?
or shall I stay behind ?" Claudius had much to learn from Mr.Barker before he was competent to deal with women.