Edgar Jepson

“ He seemed most impressed by John Stuart's weighty converse, especially by the fact, which he learned from Sir Horace, that he had firmly impressed his views on the Mayor of Ledford.
“But this is perfectly splendid!” he cried at last, almost with enthusiasm. “If this fellow goes on boring people like this, I shall obtain a magnificent reputation.”
“It will certainly be a different one, your highness,” said Bletsoe, without enthusiasm.
“But it's quite all right,” said the prince. “You don't understand. These people never even guess that they're being bored.” ”

“ Princess Anne every now and then makes a good guess, an extraordinarily good guess, at what I am really thinking, or feeling, or attempting. But she is the soul of discretion, and never dreams of informing any one but me of those guesses. ”

“ But the rest of my family, as you have heard me say before, are not observant people—at least so far as I am concerned. By the way, I've been talking to John Stuart about to-morrow”—Sir Horace groaned faintly at the realization that this hazardous exploit was definitely arranged—“and I've told him that you will give him a course of lessons in evasive replies.”
“Evasive replies?” repeated Sir Horace faintly.
“Yes. There'll be dozens of allusions to things Stuart won't know anything about, and he'll be asked dozens of questions about them. A man of your sound common sense must see that.” ”