'That, by way of proving that you are romantic. No, we won't talk of something else. What news have you from England?'
'None,' he replied, regarding the gleaming drops that fell from his suspended oar.
'And you are troubled that the post brings you nothing?'
'How do you know?'
'Your emotions are on the surface.'
He made no reply.
'Ah!' Mrs. Rossall sighed, 'what a pity you are so independent. I often think a man's majority ought to come ten years later than it does. Most of you are mere boys till thirty at least, and you go and do things that you repent all the rest of your lives. Dare you promise to come to me in ten years and tell me with complete frankness what you think of—a certain step?'
He smiled scornfully.
'Certainly; let us register the undertaking.'
After pausing a moment, he continued with an outburst of vehemence—a characteristic of Wilfrid's speech.