MR. PENNE (frowning)—­“Of her sighs and tears of the previous night.”

MISS LORE—­Oh!

MR. PENNE (dictates)—­“To Cortland the chief charm of this girl was her look of innocence and unworldiness.  Never had nun—­”

MISS LORE—­How about changing that to “never had any?”

MR. PENNE (emphatically)—­“Never had nun in cloistered cell a face more sweet and pure.”

MISS LORE—­Oh!

MR. PENNE (dictates)—­“But now Kate must hasten back to the house lest her absence be discovered.  After a fond farewell she turned and sped lightly away.  Cortland’s gaze followed her.  He watched her rise—­”

MISS LORE—­Excuse me, Mr. Penne; but how could he watch her eyes while her back was turned toward him?

MR. PENNE (with extreme politeness)—­Possibly you would gather my meaning more intelligently if you would wait for the conclusion of the sentence. (Dictates.) “Watched her rise as gracefully as a fawn as she mounted the eastern terrace.”

MISS LORE—­Oh!

Mr. PENNE (dictates)—­“And yet Cortland’s position was so far above that of this rustic maiden that he dreaded to consider the social upheaval that would ensue should he marry her.  In no uncertain tones the traditional voices of his caste and world cried out loudly to him to let her go.  What should follow—­”

MISS LORE (looking up with a start)—­I’m sure I can’t say, Mr. Penne.  Unless (with a giggle) you would want to add “Gallegher.”

Mr. PENNE (coldly)—­Pardon me.  I was not seeking to impose upon you the task of a collaborator.  Kindly consider the question a part of the text.

MISS LORE—­Oh!

Mr. PENNE (dictates)—­“On one side was love and Kate; on the other side his heritage of social position and family pride.  Would love win?  Love, that the poets tell us will last forever! (Perceives that Miss Lore looks fatigued, and looks at his watch.) That’s a good long stretch.  Perhaps we’d better knock off a bit.”

(Miss Lore does not reply.)

Mr. PENNE—­I said, Miss Lore, we’ve been at it quite a long time—­ wouldn’t you like to knock off for a while?

MISS LORE—­Oh!  Were you addressing me before?  I put what you said down.  I thought it belonged in the story.  It seemed to fit in all right.  Oh, no; I’m not tired.

MR. PENNE—­Very well, then, we will continue. (Dictates.) “In spite of these qualms and doubts, Cortland was a happy man.  That night at the club he silently toasted Kate’s bright eyes in a bumper of the rarest vintage.  Afterward he set out for a stroll with, as Kate on—­”

MISS LORE—­Excuse me, Mr. Penne, for venturing a suggestion; but don’t you think you might state that in a less coarse manner?

MR. PENNE (astounded)—­Wh-wh—­I’m afraid I fail to understand you.

MISS LORE—­His condition.  Why not say he was “full” or “intoxicated”?  It would sound much more elegant than the way you express it.