"From time to time he'll think himself in love with somebody. You're prepared for that, of course? But it's only his way. She'll have to indulge him a little--let the string out a little here and there; but she'll always have him under control. Brains do count, and she's got them all. And she won't expect romance all the time." "You said you were going to be encouraging." "I am being encouraging," Caylesham insisted. "Oh, I shouldn't think it so bad if we were talking about myself. But when it's a question of one's child----" "One is always unreasonable? Precisely. The nature of the business isn't going to change in the next generation. But I maintain that I'm encouraging--for Anna, anyhow. I rather fancy Master Blake will miss his liberty more than he thinks. But that'll be just what he needs. So from a moral point of view I'm encouraging there too." "Of course you don't understand the feeling of responsibility, the fear that if she's the--the least bit hard, it may be because of her bringing up." "Don't be remorseful, Mrs. Selford. It's the most unprofitable of emotions." He had preached the same doctrine to Christine. "When it's too late to go back?" "And that's always." He looked down at her with a cheerful smile. "That's for your private ear. Don't tell the children. Walter Blake's quite great on remorse." Mrs. Selford laughed rather ruefully. "I suppose it'll turn out as well as most things. Do you know any thoroughly happy couples?" "Very hard to say. One isn't behind the scenes. But I'm inclined to think I do. Oh, ecstasies aren't for this world, you know--not permanent ecstasies. You might as well have permanent hysterics! And, as you're aware, there are no marriages in heaven. So perhaps there's no heaven in marriages either. That would seem to be plausible reasoning, wouldn't it? But they'll be all right; they'll learn one another's paces." "I can't help wishing she seemed more in love." "Perhaps she will be when she flirts with somebody else. Don't frown! I'm not a pessimist. If I don't always look for happiness by the ordinary roads, I often discern it along quite unexpected routes." "It's pleasant to see people start by being in love." "How eternally sentimental we are! Well, yes, it is. But capacities differ. I daresay she doesn't know she's deficient, and she certainly won't imagine that her mother has given her away." "I suppose I deserve that, but I had to talk to somebody. And really it's best to choose a man; sometimes it stops there then." "Why not your husband? No? Ah, he has too many opportunities of reminding you of the indiscretion! You were quite right to talk to me. We shall look on at what happens with all the greater interest because we've discussed it. And, as I've said, I'm decidedly hopeful." "We might have developed her affections when she was a child. I'm sure we might." "Oh, I shall go! You send for a clergyman!"