"And prosperous?"
"To be quite well and happy," said Kingsley, in no spirit of evasion, "is not that a prosperous state?"
"You are quibbling with me," said Mr. Manners, "and I am not in the mood, and have no time for trifling."
"I shall not detain you long, father; you have eased my mind, and I shall go away presently, quite contented. As to quibbling, you, who know me so well and have been so good to me, must know that I am incapable of such conduct."
"I decline to argue with you. Come to the point at once. You wish to make some kind of appeal to me. I did hope that you had come in submission."
"I have, father; submission in all things that accord with one's duty."
"With your duty to me?"
"To you and to others who are dear to me."
"I will not listen," said Mr. Manners, "to anything concerning them."
"I will not force it upon you. There shall be nothing discordant between us. But what do you mean by 'appeal?'"