"How do you know I'm a success?" somewhat gloomily.
"Oh, anyone can see that. You have the calm, assured look of a man whose future is secure."
"You mean I look smug and self-satisfied!"
"Nothing of the kind. When a man has any intellect to speak of, money merely expands his interests and makes him ever so much more interesting than before. Do you think Sam Johnson ever got smug-looking? even when he had three hundred a year, which was quite an income those days?"
"Are you comparing me with Johnson?" asked Bramham, grinning.
"Oh, you needn't be vain. Africa is swarming with men who are the equals of Johnson in brain, without being hampered by his principles. His endurance and fine courage are another matter entirely. I don't suppose there are many men here who have gone through what he did to reach success."
"You're mistaken there," said Bramham. "There are plenty of men out here who have beaten their way through almost insurmountable difficulties, and come out top-dog."
Poppy smiled sceptically.
"Difficulties, yes—but poverty and bitter want?
"'Slow rises worth by poverty depressed!'