“Meklis,” said Mrs. Chikno, “pray drop all that, sister; I believe I have kept as good company as yourself; and with respect to that offer with which you frequently fatigue those who keeps company with you, I believe, after all, it was something in the roving and uncertificated line.”

II.—­The Parting of the Ways

Belle was sitting before the fire, at which the kettle was boiling.

“Were you waiting for me?” I inquired.

“Yes,” said Belle.

“That was very kind,” said I.

“Not half so kind,” said she, “as it was of you to get everything ready for me in the dead of last night.”

After tea, we resumed our study of Armenian.  “First of all, tell me,” said Belle, “what a verb is?”

“A part of speech,” said I, “which, according to the dictionary, signifies some action or passion.  For example:  I command you, or I hate you.”

“I have given you no cause to hate me,” said Belle, looking me sorrowfully in the face.

“I was merely giving two examples,” said I.  “In Armenian, there are four conjugations of verbs; the first ends in al, the second in yel, the third in oul, and the fourth in il.  Now, have you understood me?”

“I am afraid, indeed, it will all end ill,” said Belle.

“Let us have no unprofitable interruptions,” said I.  “Come, we will begin with the verb hntal, a verb of the first conjugation, which signifies rejoice.  Come along.  Hntam, I rejoice; hntas, thou rejoicest.  Why don’t you follow, Belle?”

“I’m sure I don’t rejoice, whatever you may do,” said Belle.

“The chief difficulty, Belle,” said I, “that I find in teaching you the Armenian grammar proceeds from your applying to yourself and me every example I give.”

“I can’t bear this much longer,” said Belle.

“Keep yourself quiet,” said I.  “We will skip hntal and proceed to the second conjugation.  Belle, I will now select for you to conjugate the prettiest verb in Armenian—­the verb siriel.  Here is the present tense:  siriem, siries, sire, siriemk, sirek, sirien.  Come on, Belle, and say ‘siriem.’”

Belle hesitated.  “You must admit, Belle, it is much softer than hntam.”

“It is so,” said Belle, “and to oblige you, I will say ‘siriem.’”

“Very well indeed, Belle,” said I.  “And now, to show you how verbs act upon pronouns, I will say ‘siriem zkiez.’  Please to repeat ’siriem zkiez.’”

“‘Siriem zkiez!’” said Belle.  “That last word is very hard to say.”

“Sorry that you think so, Belle,” said I.  “Now please to say ’siria zis.’” Belle did so.

“Now say ‘yerani the sireir zis,’” said I.

“‘Yerani the sireir zis,’” said Belle.

“Capital!” said I.  “You have now said, ’I love you—­love me—­ah! would that you would love me!’”

“And I have said all these things?”

“You have said them in Armenian,” said I.