'It would soon be no world at all,' he said; and added, with good-humoured depreciation, 'and while it lasted it would be a very disagreeable world, if the inhabitants in any way resembled me.'
'Never mind that, uncle Bryan; perhaps some people try to make themselves out a great deal worse than they are. So, then, there must be young people; that is a necessity.'
'As much a necessity as the seasons; it is the law of nature.'
'A good law?'
'Undoubtedly, young philosopher.' His manner was almost blithe.
'Well, then, to come back, as a friend of mine says. The young do not know what is right and wrong, and knowledge does not come of itself. Who teaches them?'
'The old,' he replied readily.
'Because they are more likely to know what is right and wrong.'
'For that reason, I should say. They have had more time to learn, and they have had more experience of the world.'
'Of course,' she said, 'and experience means wisdom. The old must know better than the young.'