She listened for about half an hour before she showed a symptom of weariness.

At the first sign I stopped.
'Will you do something to please me in return ?' I asked, when she had thanked me very civilly.

'I want you to go on with this book by yourself now.

I know what you are going to say--that you never read--that it makes your head ache and tires you.

But, if you care to please me, you will waive all these objections, and we can talk over the story to-morrow.' Then I told her about my invitation for this evening, and about the beautiful Miss Hamilton, whose sweet face had interested me.