"It's our own showing that we're now engaged in examining, if you'll permit us, Dick," Stephen rejoined imperturbably. "When a man's considering whether he's been wrong, it's a pity to scold him; because the practice is both rare and laudable." "Oh, you mustn't even consider whether I've been wrong, Stephen," Winnie cried. "Wrong in principle, I mean. As to the particular person--but I don't want to abuse him, poor fellow. His environment----" "That's a damnable word, saving your presence," Dennehy interrupted. "Nowadays whenever a scoundrel does a dirty trick, he lays it to the account of his environment." "But that's just what I meant, Dick." "Say the devil, and ye're nearer the mark, Winnie." "Environment's more hopeful," Stephen suggested. "You see, we may be able to change that. Over your _protégé_ we have no jurisdiction." "He may have over you, though, some day! Oh, I'll go for a walk, and clear my head of all your nonsense." "Don't forget you promised to take me to the station after tea," said Winnie. "Forget it!" exclaimed Dick Dennehy in scorn indescribable. "Now will I forget it--is it likely, Winnie?" He swung off into the house to get his walking-stick. Tora Aikenhead shook her head in patient reproof. No getting reason into Dick's, no hope of it at all! It was just Dick's opinion of her. A short silence followed Dennehy's departure. Then Stephen Aikenhead spoke again. "You've had a rough time, Winnie. Are you sorry you ever went in for it?" "No, it was the only thing to try; and it has resulted--or is just going to--in my being free. But I did fail in one thing. I was much more angry with Godfrey than I had any right to be. I was angry--yes, angry, not merely grieved--because he left me, as well as because he was afraid to do it in a straightforward way. I didn't live up to my theories there." "I don't know that I think any theory easy to live up to," said Tora. "Is the ordinary theory of marriage easy to live up to either?" "It's always interesting to see how few people live up to their theories." Stephen smiled. "It seems to me your husband isn't living up to his." "No, he isn't, and it's rather consoling. I don't fancy it ever entered his head that he would have to try it in practice himself. Rather your own case, isn't it, Stephen? You've never really found what any--any difficulty could mean to you." "Oh, I know I'm accused of that. I can't help it; it's absolutely impossible to get up a row with Tora. And even I don't say that you ought to walk out of the house just for the fun of it!" "We prove our theory best by the fact of the theory making no difference," said Tora. "I suppose that in the end it's only the failures who want theories at all," Winnie mused.