Monsieur Dragominsk had business in Orleans. Guy was often content to ride along the lanes in silence, letting his boy do most of the talking, but he did not do this now. He talked to him about the life that was before him, of the English school he wished to send him to. And then it was that Alain surprised him: "Don't you think, Daddy, that as I'm going to be a French Count it would be better for me to go to French school? England is not so nice as France, is it?" "Isn't it?" "No, it's got a king." "I suppose that is not right?" "No, it isn't, is it? America and France are bigger and better countries than England, and they're Republics." "You're learning a lot, my boy. Now can you tell why kings and queens are a mistake?" "Because nobody ought to be on top of us, and make us bow down to them." "Then you certainly must never be a Count. That is quite wrong!" "I suppose it is," Alain said reluctantly; "and in Russia you know, the Counts used to beat their servants to death. It is only now the poor people that are happy." "I sometimes think," said Guy slowly, "that it's a mistake us having such a big house, when the peasants have such small ones." "Yes," chimed in Alain eagerly, "and in Russia the poor people live in castles and the nobles in huts. It's been a turn-about; it's right that everyone should have a turn." "Upon my word you're learning fast. Tell me more." Alain lifted his handsome little head proudly. He was pleased to think his father admired his cleverness. "Daddy," he said suddenly, "how soon will I be big enough to leave off saying my prayers with Mother?" "How big do you think you ought to be?" "Well, I'm growing fast, and I want to do like men do." "Don't men believe in God?" "Not now, do they? We can't believe in what we can't see. It's only pretending all the time. I don't like to say so to Mother, but you understand, don't you?" "I'm afraid I understand only too well, my boy. And is the Bible not to be believed?" "It's only a history book about the Jews, isn't it? Nobody thinks anything of it now." Guy's face was as calm and still, as if no surge of passion was rushing through his veins. "Go on, Alain, talk away I like to hear you. Later on I'll talk too. Tell me more about Russia. Is it a happy country now?" "It's getting happier every day, isn't it, Daddy? And one day it's going to get all the other countries into it, and make them happy too." "How is it going to do that?" "I think it's by teaching all the people the right kind of things. I don't quite know how—Oh, Daddy, do look at that kingfisher?" Alain had had enough of serious talk, he could not be inveigled into it again. Guy brought him home, and sent him up to his bonne; then he went into the library, and, sitting down in his chair before the fire, gave himself up to deep thought.