“The weather detained me,” she said. “Have you any news?”
“Did you expect any?”
“I expect every day that you will be sent for by the military or the police.”
“I have been more careful since Raisky played at magnanimity and took upon himself the fuss about the books.”
“I don’t like that about you, Mark, your callousness and malice towards everyone except yourself. My cousin made no parade of what he had done; he did not even mention it to me. You are incapable of appreciating a kindness.”
“I do appreciate it in my own way.”
“Just as the wolf in the fable appreciated the kindness of the crane. Why not thank him with the same simplicity with which he served you. You are a real wolf; you are for ever disparaging, detracting, or blaming someone, either from pride or....”
“Or what?”
“Or by way of cultivating the ‘new strength.’”
“Scoffer!” he laughed, as he sat down beside her. “You are young, and still too inexperienced to be disillusioned of all the charm of the good old times. How can I instruct you in the rights of mankind?”