"I—I felt this morning a desire for material success which appalled me. I had touched you—all of you—to something fine, but—I cannot talk about it, even to you."
He paused with his eyes upon a distant cloud.
"That wretched girl!" groaned Archibald.
Mark's quietness seemed to exasperate the elder brother.
"I can't follow you," he said irritably. "Why shouldn't one want the good things of this world: power, position, honour?"
"Don't I want 'em? Great heavens! don't I hunger for 'em? But if they are not to be mine, what then?"
"You kiss the rod? In your place I should be furious, beside myself with resentment."
"Good old Archie," said Mark, taking his brother's hand and pressing it.
He stood up, reminding Archie that Mrs. Corrance had asked them to lunch with her.
"Betty cried like a baby," said Archie irrelevantly.