"It is good of you to say so," I said, "but I sometimes wonder if I am not shirking duty and evading responsibility by enjoying myself here."
The squire gave my hand an affectionate squeeze, but only his eyes spoke; and the vicar's wife turned to me.
"What brought you up here, dear? I don't think I ever knew."
"I am sure I don't," I replied, and before I had time to continue the Cynic leaned forward and looked at me.
"I know," he said.
"You once promised to explain me to myself," I said, smiling, "Is this the day and the hour?"
"That is for you to say," he replied. "You may object to analysis in public. True, there are some advantages from your point of view. You will have one of your own sex to hold a brief for you, and a very partial judge to guarantee fair play."
"I do not mind," I replied; and the squire smiled contentedly.
The Cynic threw his cigarette into the fire and began: "As I understand the case, before you left London your duties kept your hands busily employed during working hours, but allowed you ample opportunity for the consideration of those social problems in which for the previous year or two you had been deeply interested, and a certain portion of your leisure was devoted to social and philanthropic work?"
I assented with a nod.