"Is it true," appealed Minora to the Man of Wrath,
busy with his lemons in the background, "that your law classes
women with children and idiots?"

"Certainly," he answered promptly, "and a very
proper classification, too."

We all looked blank. "That's rude," said I at last.

"Truth is always rude, my dear," he replied complacently.
Then he added, "If I were commissioned to draw up a new legal code,
and had previously enjoyed the privilege, as I have been doing lately,
of listening to the conversation of you three young ladies,
I should make precisely the same classification."

Even Minora was incensed at this.

"You are telling us in the most unvarnished manner that we
are idiots," said Irais.

"Idiots? No, no, by no means. But children,--nice little
agreeable children. I very much like to hear you talk together.
It is all so young and fresh what you think and what you believe,
and not of the least consequence to any one.

"Not of the least consequence?" cried Minora.
"What we believe is of very great consequence indeed to us."

"Are you jeering at our beliefs?" inquired Irais sternly.