When the ladies left us, Utis and I passed out on the broad veranda, and looked for a while on the moon-lit scene. My host seemed so absorbed in meditation, that, though burning to ask an explanation on certain points, I did not venture to break in on his revery. Ile gave me the impression of one debating inwardly how to open a subject, and not able to resolve on the way. At last he said, half absently,—
"It is much pleasanter on the roof: there is more air."
We re-entered the house, and began to ascend the stair. Thinking he had forgotten the matter, I reminded him that all the doors and windows were wide open.
"Now that it is so warm," he replied, "we leave the house as open as possible."
"But," said I with some hesitation, "have you no fear of burglars?"
"Burglars," he repeated slowly, "burglars, what is that?"
I was about to reply by a formal definition of the term, but it occurred to me that it was somewhat difficult to
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