'Then why—' I began, but stopped.
'Why? Why? Because I detest it is no reason why I should not do it.'
'Yes, it is.'
'What, and at my age begin another?'
'No, no.'
'You would not have me idle?'
'Yes, I would.'
He stared at me gravely through his spectacles. 'This is unprincipled,' he said.
I laughed. It is years since I have observed that the principled groan a good deal and make discontented criticisms of life, and I don't think I care to be one of them.
'It is,' he persisted, seeing that I only laughed.