"Your papa likes it, I believe," said Mrs. Furnival, who would not hide even her grievances under a bushel.
"I don't think he likes being so much from home, mamma. Of course he likes excitement, and success. All men do. Do they not, Mr. Mason?"
"They all ought to do so, and women also."
"Ah! but women have no sphere, Mr. Mason."
"They have minds equal to those of men," said Lucius, gallantly, "and ought to be able to make for themselves careers as brilliant."
"Women ought not to have any spheres," said Mrs. Furnival.
"I don't know that I quite agree with you there, mamma."
"The world is becoming a great deal too fond of what you call excitement and success. Of course it is a good thing for a man to make money by his profession, and a very hard thing when he can't do it," added Mrs. Furnival, thinking of the olden days. "But if success in life means rampaging about, and never knowing what it is to sit quiet over his own fireside, I for one would as soon manage to do without it."
"But, mamma, I don't see why success should always be rampageous."
"Literary women who have achieved a name bear their honours quietly," said Lucius.