and say pretty things

He then wanted to know what people did at dances, seeing that he hadonly been to one thirty-five years ago, when nothing had seemed to himmore meaningless and idiotic. Did they enjoy turning round and roundto the screech of a fiddle? Did they talk, and say pretty things,and if so, why didn't they do it, under reasonable conditions? 　　As for himself--he sighed and pointed at the signs of industrylying all about him, which, in spite of his sigh, filled his facewith such satisfaction that his niece thought good to leave. 　　On bestowing a kiss she was allowed to go, but not until she hadbound herself to learn at any rate the Greek alphabet, and to returnher French novel when done with, upon which something more suitablewould be found for her. 　　As the rooms in which people live are apt to give off somethingof the same shock as their faces when seen for the first time,Rachel walked very slowly downstairs, lost in wonder at her uncle,and his books, and his neglect of dances, and his queer,utterly inexplicable, but apparently satisfactory view of life,when her eye was caught by a note with her name on it lying in the hall. 　　The address was written in a small strong hand unknown to her,and the note, which had no beginning, ran:--I send the first volume of Gibbon as I promised. Personally I findlittle to be said for the moderns, but I'm going to send you Wedekindwhen I've done him. Donne? Have you read Webster and all that set? 　　I envy you reading them for the first time. Completely exhaustedafter last night. And you? 　　The flourish of initials which she took to be St. J. A. H., woundup the letter. She was very much flattered that Mr. Hirst shouldhave remembered her, and fulfilled his promise so quickly. 　　There was still an hour to luncheon, and with Gibbon in one hand,and Balzac in the other she strolled out of the gate and downthe little path of beaten mud between the olive trees on the slopeof the hill. It was too hot for climbing hills, but along the valleythere were trees and a grass path running by the river bed.