"Something has entertained you, Cheiron?" she said.
"I have had the visit of two goddesses," he answered, chuckling. "Our
friend John Derringham brought them. He wanted to show them off and get
my opinion, I think."
"And did you give him one?" she asked. "I suppose not!"
"He went away with his teeth shut--" and Mr. Carlyon's smile deepened as
he stroked his white beard.
Halcyone laughed. She seldom asked questions herself. If the Professor
wished to tell her anything about the ladies he would do so--she was
dying to hear! Presently a set of disjointed sentences flowed from her
master's lips between his puffs of smoke.
"Girl--worth something--showy--honest--sure of
herself--clever--pretty--on her own roots--not a graft."
"Girl"--who was the girl? Halcyone wondered. But Cheiron continued his
laconic utterances.
"Woman--beautiful--determined--thick--roots of the commonest--grafting
of the best--octopean, tenacious--dangerous--my poor devil of a John!"
"And did you give the apple to either, Cheiron?" Halcyone asked with a
gleam of fine humor in her wise eyes.
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