"So much the better. New acquaintances are refreshing sometimes. I'm afraid you will not think Wufflestone beautiful; too flat, after this. Mind, if they wish it, you can stay a month or more."
"If she wishes it?" with a slight stress on the pronoun.
"Yes. She expects her nephew, Giles Cuthbert, for part of the winter; and Jem may be there too. You will like to see Jem again. Cuthbert?—I believe he is a nice fellow on the whole—idle and well-meaning, and good to his aunt."
"I can't bear idle people."
Mr. Trevelyan laughed. "Every hive has its drones. You will never be one of them. By-the-by, you had better have a new dress, Jean—and a hat."
"O thank you!"
New dresses and hats were rare things in Jean's existence.
[CHAPTER XI.]
NEW GROUND.
"And is it true
Fire rankles at the heart of every globe?
Perhaps. But these are matters one may prove
Too deeply for poetic purposes:
Rather select a theory that . . . yes,
Laugh! What does that prove?—Stations you midway
And saves some little o'er refining."
"Sordello": R. BROWNING.