“His motto is, ‘The proper study of mankind is me.’”
“That’s not grammar,” said Manvers.
“Possibly not; but the sublimity of the theme is sufficient excuse.”
Manvers took out a cigarette-case, and then paused.
“Is it allowed here?” he asked.
“Oh, it doesn’t matter if we open the windows afterwards,” said Tom; “but May doesn’t like smoke all over the house.”
Manvers shut his cigarette case up with a click.
“My dear Tom, if one fails in the small decencies of life, one is lost. Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves.”
“That’s a silly proverb,” said Tom; “it is tithing the mint and anise and cummin.”
“No; that’s just what it is not doing. It is keeping them intact, and not tithing them.”