For the fitful gleam in Piers' eyes had leaped in response to a blaze so hot, so ardent, that she could not meet it unflinching.
She was oddly grateful to him when he passed her brief confusion by as though he had not seen it.

"So I'm a genius, am I ?" he said, and laughed a careless laugh.

"Are you listening, Queen of my heart?
Aunt Avery says I'm a genius." He moved to Jeanie's sofa, and sat down on the edge of it.

Her hand stole instantly into his.
"Yes, of course," she said, in her soft, tired voice.

"That's what I meant when I was trying to remember that other word--the word that begins 'hyp.'" "Hypnotism," said Avery very quietly.
Piers laughed again.