So Mr. Arlington, over the nuts and wine.

"It's pure laziness. Oh, yes, it is. My friends say I'm so 'restful';
but that's the proper explanation of it--born laziness. And yet I try.
You have no idea, Professor Littlecherry, how much I try." So Mrs.
Arlington, laughingly, while admiring the Professor's roses.

Besides, how absurd to believe that Malvina could possibly change
anybody! Way back, when the human brain was yet in process of
evolution, such things may have been possible. Hypnotic suggestion,
mesmeric influence, dormant brain cells quickened into activity by
magnetic vibration. All that had been lost. These were the days of
George the Fifth, not of King Heremon. What the Professor was really
after was: How would Malvina receive the proposal? Of course she
would try to get out of it. A dear little thing. But could any sane
man, professor of mathematics...

Malvina was standing beside him. No one had remarked her entrance. The
eyes of the twins had been glued upon the wise and learned Christopher.
The Professor, when he was thinking, never saw anything. Still, it was
rather startling.

"We should never change what the good God has once fashioned," said
Malvina. She spoke very gravely. The childishness seemed to have
fallen from her.

"You didn't always think so," said the Professor. It nettled the
Professor that all idea of this being a good joke had departed with the
sound of Malvina's voice. She had that way with her.

She made a little gesture. It conveyed to the Professor that his
remark had not been altogether in good taste.

"I speak as one who has learned," said Malvina.

"I beg your pardon," said the Professor. "I ought not to have said
that."

Malvina accepted the Professor's apology with a bow.

"But this is something very different," continued the Professor. Quite
another interest had taken hold of the Professor. It was easy enough
to summon Dame Commonsense to one's aid when Malvina was not present.
Before those strange eyes the good lady had a habit of sneaking away.
Suppose--of course the idea was ridiculous, but suppose--something did
happen! As a psychological experiment was not one justified? What was
the beginning of all science but applied curiosity? Malvina might be
able--and willing--to explain how it was done. That is, if anything
did happen, which, of course, it wouldn't, and so much the better.
This thing had got to be ended.

"It would be using a