It came out incidentally that his leave of absence was to expire the day after to-morrow. A Lilliputian pang37 of disappointment followed this announcement. Already I was sorry to lose him. So soon we begin to make a property of what pleases us.

 

I was shy, but not awkward. I was flattered by the attention of this amusing, perhaps rather fascinating, young man of the world; and he plainly addressed himself with diligence to amuse and please me. I dare say there was more effort than I fancied in bringing his talk down to my humble38 level, and interesting me and making me laugh about people whom I had never heard of before, than I then suspected.

 

Cousin Knollys meanwhile was talking to papa. It was just the conversation that suited a man so silent as habit had made him, for her frolic fluency39 left him little to supply. It was totally impossible, indeed, even in our taciturn household, that conversation should ever flag while she was among us.

 

Cousin Knollys and I went into the drawing-room together, leaving the gentlemen — rather ill-assorted, I fear — to entertain one another for a time.

 

 

 

 

“Come here, my dear, and sit near me,” said Lady Knollys, dropping into an easy chair with an energetic little plump, “and tell me how you and your papa get on. I can remember him quite a cheerful man once, and rather amusing — yes, indeed — and now you see what a bore he is — all by shutting himself up and nursing his whims27 and fancies. Are those your drawings, dear?”

 

“Yes, very bad, I’m afraid; but there are a few, better, I think in the portfolio40 in the cabinet in the hall.”

 

“They are by no means bad, my dear; and you play, of course?”

 

“Yes — that is, a little — pretty well, I hope.”

 

“I dare say. I must hear you by-and-by. And how does your papa amuse you? You look bewildered, dear. Well, I dare say, amusement is not a frequent word in this house. But you must not turn into a nun41, or worse, into a puritan. What is he? A Fifth–Monarchy-man, or something — I forget; tell me the name, my dear.”

 

“Papa is a Swedenborgian, I believe.”