He moves his glasses up to his forehead and then pulls them down again.

Did ever anxious student ask him question so difficult of answer as this one--that this small maiden has propounded?
"You can think it over," says she most graciously.

"There is no hurry, and I am quite aware that one isn't made a guardian _every_ day.

Do you think you could make it out whilst I count forty ?" "I think I could make it out more quickly if you didn't count at all," says the professor, who is growing warm.

"The duties of a guardian--are--er--to--er--to see that one's ward is comfortable and happy." "Then there is a great deal of duty for _you_ to do," says she solemnly, letting her chin slip into the hollow of her hand.
"I know--I'm sure of it," says the professor with a sigh that might be called a groan.