“I wish I wasn't such a fool, Mr. Beebe.”

Mr. Beebe ignored the remark.

“Lucy used to be nearly as stupid as I am, but it'll be very different now, mother thinks. She will read all kinds of books.”

“So will you.”

“Only medical books. Not books that you can talk about afterwards. Cecil is teaching Lucy Italian, and he says her playing is wonderful. There are all kinds of things in it that we have never noticed. Cecil says — ”

“What on earth are those people doing upstairs? Emerson — we think we'll come another time.”

George ran down-stairs and pushed them into the room without speaking.