"Town life is wretched," he said, "because it's empty. Our women are full of useless aspirations, and, as you say, despoil their men, who deteriorate working too hard for their families. In those societies where the woman works also, the man has a free margin for the development of his abilities. In England——"
"But what can we do," repeated Regina, "if we haven't been brought up to work?"
The Senator did not appear to hear her. He drew a picture of English society where the whole middle class, the professional and the working sections alike kept themselves up in literature, art, politics, and promoted free discussion on all subjects; where the women were not bored, because they worked.
"They have hundreds of authoresses, translators, newspaper correspondents, who make more than 10,000 lire every year, some a great deal more. Mrs. H. W.—do you know how much she gets for each of her books?"
Regina did not know.
"More than seven or eight thousand pounds."
Arduina hastily made the calculation.
"More than 200,000 lire?" she said, awe-struck. "Dear me! I shouldn't like to make all that!"
"Why not?"
"Because I should go off my head!"