MISS REED: "Oh, very likely." As Miss Spaulding turns again to her
practice Miss Reed re-opens the register and listens again. A little
interval of silence ensues, while Ransom lights a cigarette.

GRINNIDGE: "So you sought opportunities of rescuing her from other
cows?"

RANSOM, returning: "That wasn't necessary. The young lady was so
impressed by my behavior, that she asked if I would give her some
lessons in the use of oil."

GRINNIDGE: "She thought if she knew how to paint pictures like yours
she wouldn't need any one to drive the cows away."

RANSOM: "Don't be farcical, Grinnidge. That sort of thing will do
with some victim on the witness-stand who can't help himself. Of
course I said I would, and we were off half the time together,
painting the loveliest and loneliest bits around Ponkwasset. It all
went on very well, till one day I felt bound in conscience to tell
her that I didn't think she would ever learn to paint, and that--if
she was serious about it she'd better drop it at once, for she was
wasting her time."

GRINNIDGE, getting up to fill his pipe: "That was a pleasant thing
to do."

RANSOM: "I told her that if it amused her, to keep on; I would be
only too glad to give her all--the hints I could, but that I oughtn't
to encourage her. She seemed a good deal hurt. I fancied at the
time that she thought I was tired of having her with me so much."