"Do you encourage my brother in believing that his duty in life is to please himself?"
"It has been my effort," he replied gravely.
"I don't understand you," Miriam said, in indignation.
"No, you do not. I mean to say that I believe your brother is not really pleased with the kind of life he has too long been leading; that to please himself he must begin serious work of some kind."
"That is playing with words, and on a subject ill-chosen for it."
"Mrs. Baske, do you seriously believe that Reuben Elgar can be made a man of steady purpose by considerations that have primary reference to any one or anything but himself?"
She made no answer.
"I am not depreciating him. The same will apply (if you are content to face the truth) to many a man whom you would esteem. I am sorry that I have lost your confidence, but that is better than to keep it by repeating idle formulas that the world's experience has outgrown."
Miriam pondered, then said quietly:
"We have different thoughts, Mr. Mallard, and speak different languages."