let them slip from end to end through our fingers. But they leave
nothing behind but a vague memory of the sensation they afforded.
Excuse me for talking figuratively. I perceive that you affect the
opposite--a reaction on your part, I suppose, against tall talk and
fine writing. Pray, should I ever carry out my intention of setting
to work in earnest at science, will you give me some lessons?"

"Well," said Cashel, with a covert grin, "I would rather you came to
me than to another professor; but I don't think it would suit you. I
should like to try my hand on your friend there. She's stronger and
straighter than nine out of ten men."

"You set a high value on physical qualifications then. So do I."

"Only from a practical point of view, mind you," said Cashel,
earnestly. "It isn't right to be always looking at men and women as
you would at horses. If you want to back them in a race or in a
fight, that's one thing; but if you want a friend or a sweetheart,
that's another."

"Quite so," said Lydia, smiling. "You do not wish to commit yourself
to any warmer feeling towards Miss Goff than a critical appreciation
of her form and condition."

"Just that," said Cashel, satisfied. "YOU understand me, Miss Carew.
There are some people that you might talk to all day, and they'd be
no wiser at the end of it than they were at the beginning. You're
not one of that sort."

"I wonder do we ever succeed really in communicating our thoughts to