"Joke away, Peter. You know how much I care for all that woman business--rights and movements and individualities and all that; a silly claiming of more duties that do no good when they're done. I am an absolutely banal person, Peter; my mind to me isn't a kingdom. I like outside things. I like gayety, change, diversion. I don't like days one after the other--like sheep--and I don't like sheep!" They had passed through the shrubbery, and before them were meadows dotted with the harmless animals that had suggested Mrs. Odd's simile. "Well, we won't look at the sheep. I own that they savor strongly of bucolic immutability. You've had plenty of London for the past year, Ally, and Nice and Monte Carlo. The sheep are really the change." "You had better go in for a seat in Parliament, Peter." "Longings for a political salon, Ally? I have hardly time for my scribbling and landlording as it is." "A salon! Nothing would bore me so much as being clever and keeping it up. No, I like seeing people and being seen, and dancing and all that. I am absolutely banal, as I tell you." "Well, you shall have London next year. We'll go up for the season." "You took me for what I was, Peter," Mrs. Odd remarked as they retraced their steps towards the house. "I have never pretended, have I? You knew that I was a society beauty and that only. I am a very shallow person, I suppose, Peter; I certainly can't pretend to have depths--even to give Mary satisfaction. It would be too uncomfortable. Why did you fall in love with me, Peter? It wasn't _en caractère_ a bit, you know." "Oh yes, it was, Ally. I fell in love with you because you were beautiful. Why did you fall in love with me?" The mockery with which Alicia's smile was tinged deepened into a good-humored laugh at her own expense. "Well, Peter, I don't think any one before made me feel that they thought me so beautiful. I am vain, you know. Your enthusiasm was awfully flattering. I am very sorry you idealized me, Peter. I am sure you idealized me. Shall we go in? Lunch must be ready, and you must be hungrier than ever." CHAPTER III At four that afternoon Odd, his wife, and Mary started for the Archinards' house. Mary had offered to join her brother; the prospect of the walk together was very pleasant. She could not object when Alicia, at the last moment, announced her intention of going too. "I have never been to see her. I should like the walk, and Mary will approve of the fulfilment of my duty towards my neighbor."