Mr. Searles evidently admired Leo, and he talked to
him of Italy's greatness in literature and art. He sat at Colonel
Harris's right, opposite Mrs. Harris. Leo and Lucille occupied seats at
the end of the table, and at their right and left sat Alfonso and
Gertrude.
Guests of the hotel and their friends chatted in low conversation at the
many tables of the model dining-room. Electric lights shone soft in the
ceiling, and under pretty shades at each table, which added much to the
general effect.
Long before the sweets and fruits were reached, the conversation had
drifted from one conventional topic to another, until Mrs. Harris asked
Hugh Searles what he thought of higher education for women.
"Yes, yes, Mr. Searles," said Gertrude, "please tell us all about the
English girl."
"Does she go to college, and does she ride a bicycle!" queried Lucille.
Mrs. Harris was eager to listen to the Englishman's reply for often she
had earnestly talked the matter over in her home. Mr. Searles was very
frank in his views, and surprisingly liberal for an Englishman, and well
he might be, for his own mother was a power, and his sisters were strong
mental forces in Lincolnshire. Aided by tutors and their scholarly
mother, they had pursued at home, under difficulties, about the same
course of studies, that Hugh, their brother, had followed in the
university.
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