He turned his eyes upon it for a moment. 'It is pretty enough in its way.'
'In its way, indeed!' Then I presently went on: 'It is a way of quiet loveliness, which has a great charm for me in its suggestions of peace and rest. That house amidst the trees, by the hillside, has a special attraction for me. Even you must allow it is a charming retreat.'
'That low house? It is well enough; but'—turning his eyes upon my face, he added sharply: 'What do you want with rest and peace and charming retreats? What right have you to be sighing for them?'
'Right? Surely every one has a right to them that can get them?'
'The right is only fairly won by working for it; and what have you done? I mean of course, in comparison with what you have the power to do.'
I suppose I looked my surprise. He went on more gravely: 'Pardon me, but I gave you credit for being one of the last to desire "inglorious ease." I believed that even your life here, with its many demands, is not quite enough for the exercise of your full strength. Rest and peace are for the weak and vanquished.'
'Then I suppose it is feeling weak and vanquished which makes me incline towards them.'
'A little morbidness, more likely; the need of something to fight against. And yet,' he added musingly, 'there ought to be enough to exercise your energies here.'
'There is enough to satisfy the most belligerent,' I replied, laughing outright. 'I assure you there is ample opportunity for the exercise of any power I may possess in that direction.'
'And you acknowledge yourself vanquished?'