"I don't mind if I do," was the response, couched in a tone of
even indifference. A shiver of suppressed excitement went through
the listeners, and Lady Blemley might be excused for pouring out
the saucerful of milk rather unsteadily.

"I'm afraid I've spilt a good deal of it," she said
apologetically.

"After all, it's not my Axminster," was Tobermory's rejoinder.

Another silence fell on the group, and then Miss Resker, in her
best district-visitor manner, asked if the human language had been
difficult to learn. Tobermory looked squarely at her for a moment
and then fixed his gaze serenely on the middle distance. It was
obvious that boring questions lay outside his scheme of life.

"What do you think of human intelligence?" asked Mavis Pellington
lamely.

"Of whose intelligence in particular?" asked Tobermory coldly.

"Oh, well, mine for instance," said Mavis, with a feeble laugh.

"You put me in an embarrassing position," said Tobermory, whose
tone and attitude certainly did not suggest a shred of
embarrassment. "When your inclusion in this house-party was
suggested Sir Wilfrid protested that you were the most brainless
woman of his acquaintance, and that there was a wide distinction
between hospitality and the care of the feeble-minded. Lady