"Reading and dreaming, I suppose, as usual ?" "I'm afraid I've done both, and very little else to speak of," replied Austin, laughing.

"I'm always reading, off and on, without much system, you know.

But if I'm rather desultory I always enjoy reading, because books give me so many new ideas, and it's delightful to have always something fresh to think about." "Yes, yes," rejoined St Aubyn.

"I don't know what you read, of course, but it's clear you don't read many novels." "Novels!" exclaimed Austin scornfully.

"How _can_ people read novels, when there are so many other books in the world ?" "Well, what have you been reading, then ?" enquired St Aubyn, lighting a cigarette.
"I've been dipping into one of the most puzzling, fascinating, bothering books I ever came across," replied Austin, following his example.