Julia did not seem in the least shocked.
"But I think it's beautiful," she broke out. "Strange—but in a way beautiful and pathetic. Oh, if only a few more people could do the same—become young, do foolish things instead of this eternal grind of common sense, hard business, and everything that ruins the world!"
Bobby tried to imagine the world with an increased population of the brand of Uncle Simon, and failed.
"I know," he said, "but it will be the ruin of his business and reputation. Abstractly, I don't deny there's something to be said for it, but in the concrete it don't work. Do think, and let's try to find a way out."
"I'm thinking," said Julia.
Then, after a pause:
"You must get him away from London."
"That was my idea, but he won't go, not even to Richmond for a few hours. He won't leave London."
"There's a place in Wessex I know," said Julia, "where there's a charming little hotel. I was down there for a week in May. You might take him there."