I suppose I asked a stupid question.

What are those reels of green silk for ?" "Ah," said Conolly, relaxing.

"Come now, I can tell you that easily enough.

I dont know what it _is_, but I know what it does, and I can lay traps to catch it.

Here now, for instance----" And he went on to deliver a sort of chatty Royal Institution Children's Lecture on Electricity which produced a great impression on Marian, who was accustomed to nothing better than small talk.