We visited some American friends in Berlin, the Nollises, for a fortnight, and after our visit to them they traveled with us for three weeks through South Germany and Switzerland.

We parted with them at Metz only about three weeks since." "How did Mr.Carling seem while you were all together ?" asked John, looking keenly at her.
"Oh," she replied, "he was more like himself than I have seen him for a long time--since he began to break down, in fact." He turned his eyes from her face as she looked up at him, and as he did not speak she said suggestively, "You are thinking something you don't quite like to say, but I think I know pretty nearly what it is." "Yes ?" said John, with a query.
"You think he has had too much feminine companionship, or had it too exclusively.

Is that it?
You need not be afraid to say so." "Well," said John, "if you put it 'too exclusively,' I will admit that there was something of the sort in my mind, and," he added, "if you will let me say so, it must at times have been rather hard for him to be interested or amused--that it must have--that is to say--" "Oh, _say_ it!" she exclaimed.

"It must have been very _dull_ for him.
Is that it ?" "'Father,'" said John with a grimace, "'I can not tell a lie!'" "Oh," she said, laughing, "your hatchet isn't very sharp.

I forgive you.
But really," she added, "I know it has been.