"Confound it all! I hate this world. If I could have my own way now,—if I could have just what I wanted, and do just as I please exactly, I might make a pretty good thing of it."
"And pray what would you have?" said Mara.
"Well, in the first place, riches."
"In the first place?"
"Yes, in the first place, I say; for money buys everything else."
"Well, supposing so," said Mara, "for argument's sake, what would you buy with it?"
"Position in society, respect, consideration,—and I'd have a splendid place, with everything elegant. I have ideas enough, only give me the means. And then I'd have a wife, of course."
"And how much would you pay for her?" said Mara, looking quite cool.
"I'd buy her with all the rest,—a girl that wouldn't look at me as I am,—would take me for all the rest, you know,—that's the way of the world."
"It is, is it?" said Mara. "I don't understand such matters much."