'Because you did not take all the good of life you might.'
'How could I? A poor man can't revel in the good things of life,' he said, with a slight touch of irritation.
'No, quite true; but some poor people seem to make more out of small things. That was what I meant,' said Gladys meekly. 'But we must not talk anything disagreeable, uncle; it is not good for you.'
'But I want to talk. I say, were you disappointed because I never took you into Ayrshire in the summer?'
'Yes, uncle, a little, but it soon passed. When summer comes again, you will take me, I am sure.'
'You will go, anyhow, whether I do or not,' he said pointedly. 'Will you tell me, child, what you think of Walter?'
'Of Walter, uncle?' Gladys paused, with her hand on the cupboard door, and looked back at him with a slightly puzzled air.
'Yes. Do you think him a clever chap?'
'I do. I think he can do anything, Uncle Abel,' she replied warmly. 'Yes, Walter is very clever.'
'And good?'