E. (aside). I wonder if that is meant for a veiled allusion. (Aloud.) But nature generally provides a way of softening matters, and makes such changes not chilling, but bracing.
H. (carelessly). Yes—Nature has been much maligned in her time, but, after all she is kinder than humanity in certain of even its most attractive forms. She is impartial and she contrives to let one down easily. I am sometimes astonished that Nature should be personified as a woman.
E. (looking away from him). I see you have become a cynic.
H. (with intention). I have, perhaps, lived up to my opportunities. They have not been unfavorable to cynicism. (Laughing.) Do you know, Esther, this is very much the way we used to talk? We were continually dealing in the most artistic abstractions. How easily one drops into old fashions!
E. (aside). How can he speak so lightly of “the way we used to talk,” or is it only I that remember? (Aloud, coldly.) Possibly, but old fashions are very readily seen not to belong to the present day. And yet—I may be mistaken—but it seems to me that we used to talk in a way that bordered on—on the concrete.
H. (a little nonplussed). Yes—that is true—but we were not so successful there. (Aside.) Decidedly we did. On the very concrete, indeed! And that was where she always had the better of me. She is quite capable of doing it again—but she does not wish to.
E. (calmly). But where were we in our abstractions? Ah, with Nature. I always get beyond my depth when Nature is introduced into the conversation. Human nature I do not mind at all, you know, but Nature by itself frightens me. I think it is the capital N. I feel that I ought to go out-of-doors and appreciate her.
H. I remember you were always afraid of getting beyond your depth. I was less prudent, however, which was sometimes unfortunate. (Aside.) I shall be floundering again if I go on with this remembering. (Aloud.) So you are still cautious? I have not had the four years to myself. Have they not changed you at all, Esth—Miss Van Dyke?
E. (pensively). Yes.
H. (with attention). You are not quite the same, then? I should not have known it.