Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/77

Rh us. The fact is, Mr. Romaine, your eyes are too expressive, and when you uttered those terrific sentiments, I saw that you were simply setting a trap for us, as deep as a well and as wide as a church door. But we won't walk in it to please you."

Miss Maywood colored quickly. It never had occurred to her literal mind before that Mr. Romaine did not mean every word he said, and if she had thought to the contrary, she would not have dared to say it. She fully expected an outbreak of the temper which Mr. Romaine was known to possess, but instead, as with Sir Archy, Letty's daring onslaught produced only a smile. Mr. Romaine was well pleased at the notion that he was not too old to be chaffed.

"You are much too acute," he said, with a sort of silent laughter.

"Just what I have always told Miss Corbin," remarked Farebrother, energetically. "If you will join me, perhaps we can organize a society for the suppression of clever women, and then we sha'n't be at their mercy as we now are."

"And don't forget a clause guaranteeing that they shall be deprived of all opportunities of a higher education," suggested Sir Archy,