“I believe there is,” said Meta, “but when trumpet-peals are ringing around, it is hard to know whether one is really ‘waiting beside the tent,’ or only dawdling.”
“It is great self-denial in the immovable square not to join the charge,” said Norman.
“Yes; but they, being shot at, are not deceiving themselves.”
“I suppose self-deception on those points is very common.”
“Especially among young ladies,” said Meta. “I hear so much of what girls would do, if they might, or could, that I long to see them like Ethel—do what they can. And then it strikes me that I am doing the same, living wilfully in indulgence, and putting my trust in my own misgivings and discontent.”
“I should have thought that discontent had as little to do with you as with any living creature.”
“You don’t know how I could growl!” said Meta, laughing. “Though less from having anything to complain of, than from having nothing to complain of.”
“You mean,” he said, pausing, with a seriousness and hesitation that startled her—“do you mean that this is not the course of life that you would choose?”
A sort of bashfulness made her put her answer playfully—
“All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.