Page:In the dozy hours, and other papers.djvu/229

 Rh Mr. Ruskin's publishers should have entreated him, after the appearance of "Ethics of the Dust," to "write no more in dialogues." To my mind, that charming book owes its quality of readableness to the form in which it is cast, to the breathing-spells afforded by the innocent questions and comments of the children.

Mr. W. W. Story deals more gently with us than any other imaginary conversationalist. From the moment that "He and She" meet unexpectedly on the first page of "A Poet's Portfolio," until they say good-night upon the last, they talk comprehensively and agreeably upon topics in which it is easy to feel a healthy human interest. They drop into poetry and climb back into prose with a good deal of facility and grace. They gossip about dogs and spoiled children; they say clever and true things about modern criticism; they converse seriously, but not solemnly, about life and love and literature. They do not resolutely discuss a given subject, as do the Squire and Foster in Sir Edward Strachey's "Talk at a Country House;" but sway from text to text after the frivolous fashion of flesh