"It's pure laziness. Oh, yes, it is. My friends say I'm so
'restful'; but that's the proper explanation of it--born laziness.
And yet I try. You have no idea, Professor Littlecherry, how much I
try." So Mrs. Arlington, laughingly, while admiring the Professor's
roses.

Besides, how absurd to believe that Malvina could possibly change
anybody! Way back, when the human brain was yet in process of
evolution, such things may have been possible. Hypnotic suggestion,
mesmeric influence, dormant brain cells quickened into activity by
magnetic vibration. All that had been lost. These were the days of
George the Fifth, not of King Heremon. What the Professor was
really after was: How would Malvina receive the proposal? Of
course she would try to get out of it. A dear little thing. But
could any sane man, professor of mathematics . . .

Malvina was standing beside him. No one had remarked her entrance.
The eyes of the twins had been glued upon the wise and learned
Christopher. The Professor, when he was thinking, never saw
anything. Still, it was rather startling.

"We should never change what the good God has once fashioned," said
Malvina. She spoke very gravely. The childishness seemed to have
fallen from her.

"You didn't always think so," said the Professor. It nettled the
Professor that all idea of this being a good joke had departed with
the sound of Malvina's voice. She had that way with her.

She made a little gesture. It conveyed to the Professor that his