"Oh, longer than I knew myself!" was the evasive reply.
He tried to look at her, but she pressed her face close to his shoulder and would not suffer it.
"Beulah!"
"Sir."
"Oh, don't 'sir' me, child! I want to know the truth, and you will not satisfy me."
"I have told you the truth."
"Have you learned that fame is an icy shadow? that gratified ambition cannot make you happy? Do you love me?"
"Yes."
"Better than teaching school and writing learned articles?"
"Rather better, I believe, sir."