"You imagine far more than you see. I think artists are like poets, and are given to great flights. Besides, you are becoming versed in my small talk. When you tried it on the evening I referred to, you were just a trifle ponderous." "Yes, I can now see myself performing like a lame elephant. Did you propose to read this encyclopaedia entirely through?" "I might have skipped art as a subject far too deep for me." "When you come to that let me take the place of the encyclopaedia. I will sit just here where you keep your book and give you a series of familiar lectures." "I never enjoyed being lectured, sir!" "Then I'll teach you after the Socratic method, and ask you questions." "I fear some of them might be too personal. You have such a mania for solving everything." "And did you fear that at some of the many sittings I shall need this fall I might again broach every subject under the sun, and so you were led to read an encyclopaedia to be prepared?" "Is that what you mean by the Socratic method? I decline any lessons concerning art or anything else on that plan, for you would find out everything." "I shall, anyway. How long ago it seems since we took that stupid walk together on Mr. Burleigh's piazza! We are nearer together now, Miss Ida, than we were then." "Oh! no, indeed," she replied quickly; "I had your arm on that occasion." "But you have my sincere friendship and respect now. I can't tell you how pleased I was when I saw how you had honored the little emblematic flower I gave you this morning. That you wear it to-night as your only ornament gives me hope that you do value my respect and regard." "I think I had better let the rose-bud answer you, and I confess I like to think how perfect it is when I remember the meaning you gave to it, though how you can respect me at all I cannot understand. Still, I am like father--next to God's favor the respect of those I esteem does most to sustain and reassure me. But, oh! Mr. Van Berg, you can't know what an honest sense of ill-desert I have. It is so hard just to do right, no matter what the consequences may be." "The trouble with me is that I am not trying as you are. But I know, with absolute certainty, that the strongest impulse of true friendship, or at least of mine, in this instance, is to render some service to my friend. You will make me very happy if you will tell me something I can do for you." "You are helping me very much in your manner towards father, and I do thank you from the very depths of my heart. In no way could you have won from me a deeper gratitude. And--well--your kindness almost tempts me to ask for another favor, Mr. Van Berg." He sprang to her side and took her hand.