"Oh, it isn't as bad as that," Mr. Frostwinch observed genially. "They'll have a piano, and that means some sort of civilization."
"I suppose she'll play the ranz des vaches on the piano," Mrs. Wilson laughed.
"Of course it's madness," Langdon observed, "but they'll like it for a while. I can't understand, though, how Miss Mott can be so foolish. I always supposed she was rather a sensible girl."
"Does this prove that she isn't?" asked Alice.
"Don't you think a girl that leaves civilization, and goes to live in the wilderness just to follow a man, shows a lack of cleverness?"
The seriousness of the tone in which Alice had asked her question had drawn all eyes in her direction, and it might easily be that the knowledge of the interest which she was supposed to have in penniless Jack Neligage would in any case have given to her words especial mark.
"That depends on what life is for," Alice answered now, in her low, even voice. "If she is happier with Thayer Kent on a cattle ranch than she would be anywhere else without him, I think she shows the best kind of sense."
"But think what a stupid life she'll lead," Langdon persisted. "She doesn't know what she's giving up."
"Eet ees très romanesque," declared the Count, "but eet weel to be triste. Weell she truthfully ride de cow?"
Politely veiled laughter greeted this sally, except from Dr. Wilson, who burst into an open guffaw.