_Ellesmere_. Do not tell, either of you, what I have been saying. I shall always be poked up into some garret when I come to see you, if you do. _Dunsford_. I think the most curious thing, as regards people living together, is the intense ignorance they sometimes are in of each other. Many years ago, one or other of you said something of this kind to me, and I have often thought of it since. _Milverton_. People fulfil a relation towards each other, and they only know each other in that relation, especially if it is badly managed by the superior one; but any way the relationship involves some ignorance. They perform orbits round each other, each gyrating, too, upon his own axis, and there are parts of the character of each which are never brought into view of the other. _Ellesmere_. I should carry this notion of yours, Milverton, farther than you do. There is a peculiar mental relation soon constituted between associates of any kind, which confines and prevents complete knowledge on both sides. Each man, in some measure therefore, knows others only through himself. Tennyson makes Ulysses say, “I am a part of all that I have seen;” it might have run, “I am a part of all that I have heard.” _Dunsford_. Ellesmere becoming metaphysical and transcendental! _Ellesmere_. Well, well, we will leave these heights, and descend in little drops of criticism. There are two or three things you might have pointed out, Milverton. Perhaps you would say that they are included in what you have said, but I think not. You talk of the mischief of much comment on each other amongst those who live together. You might have shown, I think, that in the case of near friends and relations this comment also deepens into interference—at least it partakes of that nature. Friends and relations should, therefore, be especially careful to avoid needless comments on each other. They do just the contrary. That is one of the reasons why they often hate one another so much. _Dunsford_. Ellesmere! _Ellesmere_. Protest, if you like, my dear Dunsford. Dissentient, 1. Because I wish it were not so. 2. Because I am sorry that it is. (Signed) DUNSFORD. _Milverton_. “Hate” is too strong a word, Ellesmere; what you say would be true enough, if you would put “are not in sympathy with.” _Ellesmere_. “Have a quiet distaste for.” That is the proper medium. Now, to go to another matter. You have not put the case of over-managing people, who are tremendous to live with. _Milverton_. I have spoken about “interfering unreasonably with others.” _Ellesmere_. That does not quite convey what I mean. It is when the manager and the managee are both of the same mind as to the thing to be done; but the former insists, and instructs, and suggests, and foresees, till the other feels that all free agency for him is gone.