She looked up at him with a smile.
‘People who are going to live unworthily don’t declare it in this way.’
‘I oughtn’t to; a few minutes ago I had no intention of saying such things. It means I am rather overstrung, I suppose; but it’s all true, unfortunately.’
He rose, and began to run his eye along the shelves nearest to him.
‘Well, now I will go, Miss Yule.’
Marian stood up as he approached.
‘It’s all very well,’ he said, smiling, ‘for me to encourage my sisters in the hope that they may earn a living; but suppose I can’t even do it myself? It’s by no means certain that I shall make ends meet this year.’
‘You have every reason to hope, I think.’
‘I like to hear people say that, but it’ll mean savage work. When we were all at Finden last year, I told the girls that it would be another twelve months before I could support myself. Now I am forced to do it. And I don’t like work; my nature is lazy. I shall never write for writing’s sake, only to make money. All my plans and efforts will have money in view—all. I shan’t allow anything to come in the way of my material advancement.’
‘I wish you every success,’ said Marian, without looking at him, and without a smile.