"You think I am dictatorial, then?"

"Well, I shouldn't say that you were dictatorial exactly. But there is a
certain confidence--I don't know just how to express it, but it seems to
me, you know--well, I am going deeper and deeper into trouble by what I
am saying, so really I shall not say any more. I do not know just how to
express it."

"I think you express it very nicely. Go on, please."

"Oh, you are laughing at me now."

"Not at all, I assure you. You were trying to say that I was very
dictatorial."

"No, I was trying to say nothing of the kind. I was merely trying to say
that you have a certain confidence in yourself and a certain belief that
everything you say is perfectly correct, and is not to be questioned.
Now, do as you promised, and tell me how near right I am."

"You are entirely wrong. I never taught school."

"Well, Miss Earle, I confessed to my occupation without citing any
mitigating circumstances. So now, would you think me impertinent if I
asked you to be equally frank?"

"Oh, not at all! But I may say at once that I wouldn't answer you."

"But you will tell me if I guess?"