Jean snuggled closer to Orv.
"Rousseau says we're slaves to our laws and thinks we can free ourselves by respecting nature, making life simpler. Mom and I thought that too; that's why we moved to the States ... we thought we wouldn't have to kowtow to state or church or..."
Orville tasted his own slavery as he talked.
"Men still want to get rid of Rousseau ... too dangerous ... when you read his Confessions you see how he feels ... Me ... I like his Reveries ... maybe because he finished them in Ermenonville..."
Lapsing into silence they listened to the house and rain sounds.
Having read Rousseau's first chapters recently, she thumbed through thoughts as they listened together. Firelight washed the ceiling, polished the side of the grand piano. Someone was going up the staircase--thoughtful steps. Servant voices sounded, then faded. A log sent up brilliant sparks and then flared into saw teeth of orange and red.
The cat rubbed against Orville's leg.
"I started out living pretty sanely ... at Cornell ... then I fell into the war trap..."
"It will end, Orville dear. We'll be free soon."
"I wish I thought that."