rought me out here to get me to hold his
hand half an hour! None in mine, thanks! I'll show him! (_Aloud._) No,
here, please, _quite_ under the light.

MR. JARVIS--You'll be ever so much more comfortable in the hammock.

MISS PAYSLEY (_with a malicious smile_)--You're so thoughtful! But
light I _must_ have. Now the table. (_Moves the table between them._)
Please let both your hands lie quite naturally on it.

MR. JARVIS (_disappointed_)--On the table? Oh! (_Aside._) At this rate
palmistry won't be popular any more.

MISS PAYSLEY (_bends over his hand, then raises her eyes suddenly to
Jarvis_)--You know it makes me almost nervous to read your hand. I
feel, with some people, as if I were listening at the door and hearing
secrets I oughtn't to. (_Aside._) I wouldn't do it for any one but
Millicent. But I can't stand by and see that Orton woman---- How I
hate engaged flirts!

MR. JARVIS--I'm not afraid; if I had been, why should I have asked
you?

MISS PAYSLEY (_raising her eyes suddenly again_)--You may have
had--your reasons.

MR. JARVIS (_aside_)--That's a fetching way she has of raising her
eyes. Wonder what she meant by that just now. (_Aloud._) How becoming
the pale green of the leaves is to your hair.

MISS PAYSLEY--Turn your hands over, please. Now put your right one
directly under the light. Oh!

MR. JARVIS--What do you see?

MISS PAYSLEY--What _strange, strange nails_. I've read about it, but
I've never seen it before. Not so marked! It's the perfect type!

MR. JARVIS (_interested in spite of himself_)--What does it mean?

MISS PAYSLEY (_embarrassed, hesitating_)--It isn't pleasant.

MR. JARVIS (_looking at her_)--Go on!

MISS PAYSLEY (_reluctantly_)--Well, they mean--consumption! (_Aside._)
They'll make him serious--besides, it _is_ the type.

MR. JARVIS (_rising to the bait_)--Why, I haven't a consumptive
relative. (_Aside._) She is honest. And I was expecting the old Girdle
of Venus gag. (_Aloud._) What does this line mean, and why are the
veins of my hands so red?

MISS PAYSLEY (_aside_)--You don't catch this child this way. No
compliments about your impressible temperaments from me. (_Aloud,
meditatingly, slowly._) Those red lines--sometimes--they mean
insanity--but in your case----

MR. JARVIS (_with sarcasm_)--Would you mind telling me at what age I
am going to lose my teeth, or if I am in danger of breaking a leg? I
had no idea palmistry was so pathological.

MISS PAYSLEY (_undistur