's face told him
nothing, any more than his words; Faith, by this time, was covered with
confusion. That at least it might be visible to only one person, she
moved back to her former place.

"Were you behind us?" said the doctor;--"or were you French enough to
come by invisibly?"

"Is that the last new method?" said Mr. Linden. "You have been in Paris
since I was."

"Never got so far as that though, I am sorry to say," said the doctor
coming back to the couch. "But after all, that was very vague
information--it didn't tell one much--only I have a personal interest
in the subject. But I am glad you spoke--the man that can tell the
dream should be able to give the interpretation. What did it mean,
Linden?"

"Behold a man of an enquiring turn of mind!" said Mr. Linden with the
same half listless half amused air. "He asks for truth, and when that
tarries demands interpretation."

"I don't know what sort of a man I behold!" said the doctor, moving his
eyes with a double expression for an instant from Mr. Linden's arm to
his face.

"I should think you were a German student in pursuit of the 'Idea'!"
said Mr. Linden taking a quiet survey of the doctor's face. "Have you
completed the circle, or is there still hope the Idea may seize you?"

"The idea seized me a good while ago," said the doctor, with a most
comical mock confessional look.

"Well then," said Mr. Linden in a sort of confidential tone, "what is
your opinion upon the great German question--whether it is better to be
One and Somewhat, or to be Nought and All?

"You see,"--said the doctor, standing back and suspending
operations,--"_everybody_ can't be One and Somewhat!"

"Then you choose the comprehensive side--" said Mr. Linden. "That is
without doubt the most difficult,--the One and Somewhat is called
egotistical, but to be Nought and All!--one must be--what do you
suppose?"

"A philanthropist, I should suppose!" the doctor answered, with a
change of expression _not_ agreeable. And returning to his work, for
awhile he behaved unusually like other people; not hurrying his work,
but doing it with a grave steady attention to that and nothing
else--answering Faith, and saying no more. Perhaps however he thought
silence might be carried too far; or else had an unsatisfied mood upon
him; for as he was finishing what he had to do, he looked up again to
Faith and remarked,

"What do you think of this for our quiet town, Miss Derrick? Has Mr.
Linden any en