the case was peculiar--peculiar circumstances."

SHE, with severity: "May I ask WHY the circumstances were peculiar?
I saw nothing peculiar about the circumstances. It seemed to me it
was a very simple matter. I told you that I had always had a great
curiosity to see whether I could use oil paints, and I asked you a
very plain question, whether you would let me study with you. Didn't
I?"

HE: "Yes."

SHE: "Was there anything wrong--anything queer about my asking you?"

HE: "No, no! Not at all--not in the least."

SHE: "Didn't you wish me to take the lessons of you? If you didn't,
it wasn't kind of you to let me."

HE: "Oh, I was perfectly willing--very glad indeed, very much so--
certainly!"

SHE: "If it wasn't your CUSTOM to take pupils, you ought to have
told me, and I wouldn't have forced myself upon you."

HE, desperately: "It wasn't forcing yourself upon me. The Lord
knows how humbly grateful I was. It was like a hope of heaven!"

SHE: "Really, Mr. Ransom, this is very strange talk. What am I to
understand by it? Why should you be grateful to teach me? Why
should giving me lessons be like a hope of heaven?"