‘It is, Mrs Wilson, I am happy to say. Sir Giles kindly offered me the use of the library, and I took the liberty of representing to him that there was no library until the books were arranged.’
‘Why couldn’t you take a book away with you and read it in comfort at home?’
‘How could I take the book home if I couldn’t find it?’
‘You could find something worth reading, if that were all you wanted.’
‘But that is not all. I have plenty of reading.’
‘Then I don’t see what’s the good of it.’
‘Books are very much like people, Mrs Wilson. There are not so many you want to know all about; but most could tell you things you don’t know. I want certain books in order to question them about certain things.’
‘Well, all I know is, it’ll be more trouble than it’s worth.’
‘I am afraid it will—to you, Mrs Wilson; but though I am taking a thousand times your trouble, I expect to be well repaid for it.’
‘I have no doubt of that. Sir Giles is a liberal gentleman.’