His doubt was absurd, for it implied that Mrs.Nevill Tyson practiced the art of symbolism, and he could hardly suppose her to be so well acquainted with the resources of language.

On the other hand, he could not conceive how, after living more than half a year with Tyson, she had preserved her formidable _naivete_.
At dinner that evening she still further obscured the question by boasting that she had saved Captain Stanistreet's life.

Stanistreet protested.
"Nonsense," said she; "you know perfectly well that you'd have upset the whole show if you'd been left to yourself." Tyson stared at his wife.

"Do you mean to say that he let you drive ?" "Let me?
Not he! He couldn't help it." Her white throat shook with derisive laughter.

"I took the reins; or, if you like, I kicked over the traces.