The Man in Possession — page 204: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 199 ‘* Agree ?—not such a fool. Their good looks always remind me of those strawberry ices—all pink and white, that melt if you touch them, don’t yer know. And as for cleverness, it’s only rattle, and cheek, and that sort of cool impudence that youd never stand in an English woman.” ‘‘You are quite exceptional in your opinion,” said Kate coldly. ‘‘Their charm is universally acknow- ledged.”’ ‘‘T can't understand your caring for such a chatter- ing doll as that,” continued Sir Wilfred wrathfully. Kate laughed. ‘‘If you talked to her for ten min- utes youd soon change your opinion. But I don’t believe you’ve addressed as many words to her yet.” ‘‘T wish you'd give me a chance of talking to you, Kate,” he said, dropping into sentiment as suddenly as the celebrated Boffin used to ‘‘drop into poetry.” The girl flushed and looked annoyed. ‘‘I am afraid conversation is not our strong point,” she said. ‘‘We—we don’t seem to have much in com- mon.” ‘No. I suppose I look an awful fool to you because I can’t talk politics like Rivers, or ‘reel off’ stories by the yard like Mrs. Lafaye. I’m doosed sorry, but it isn’t in me. I can't helpit. I never could learn much. The doctors told my mother it was liver, and the masters told me it was laziness. I suppose both were right. I wish I was clever, but——” ‘¢But there’s no royal road to cleverness any more than to learning,” said Kate. ‘‘I was going to say that you'll make up for that, ECOMNCE OOO SS) (SO 5)