"We are all that, more or less." "I dispute that," he said at once.

"It is only the bores who are ever bored." "And I dispute that," she replied, without turning, "of necessity, in self-defence." He leaned forward to catch the light upon her profile.

"You are bored ?" She smiled faintly in the gloom.

"That is why I have engaged the services of a jester." "By Jove," he said, "I'm glad you pitched on me." She made a slight movement of impatience.

"Isn't it rather futile to say that sort of thing ?" "Why ?" he asked.
"Because you know quite well it was not a matter of choice." "Rather a matter of _manque de mieux_ ?" he suggested coolly.
She turned from her contemplation of the crowd below.