Presently she opened the conversation by asking me if I disliked being
alone.

"Well, no, perhaps not exactly that," I said; "but I think it much
jollier--much more pleasant, I mean--to have some very nice person to
talk to."

She assented, and, pleased at her ready intelligence, I added: "And it
is particularly pleasant when you are understood. But I have no fear
that you, at any rate, will fail to understand anything I may say."

"You have had some trouble to-day," she returned, with a charming smile.
"I sometimes think that women can understand even more readily than
men."

"There's not a doubt of it!" I returned warmly, glad to find that with
Edra it was all plain sailing. "It must be patent to every one that
women have far quicker, finer intellects than men, although their brains
are smaller; but then quality is more important than mere quantity. And
yet," I continued, "some people hold that women ought not to have the
franchise, or suffrage, or whatever it is! Not that I care two straws
about the question myself, and I only hope they'll never get it; but
then I think it is so illogical--don't you?"

"I am afraid I do not understand you, Smith," she returned, looking much
distressed.

"Well, no, I suppose not, but what I said was of no consequence," I
replied; then, wishing to make a fresh start, I added: "But I am so glad
to hear you call me Smith. It makes it so much more pleasant and