I naturally attached more importance to this burst of enthusiasm then than I do now. And it is as well that I was thus simple-minded. How little pleasure we would get, to be sure, if, when we are praised or loved by anybody because we do that person a kindness, we paused to analyze and saw the shallow selfishness of such praise or such love. After all, it’s only human nature to like those who do as we ask them and to dislike those who don’t; and I am not quarreling with human nature--or with any other of the unchangeable conditions of the universe. My own love for Edna--what was it but the natural result of my getting what I wanted from her, all I wanted? I really troubled myself little about her incompetence and extravagance and craze for social position. No doubt to this day I should be-- But I am again anticipating. “Generous? Nonsense,” said I. “It isn’t generous to try to make you happy. That’s my one chance of being happy myself. A busy man’s got to have peace at home. If he hasn’t he’s like a soldier attacked rear and front at the same time.” “I know you don’t care where we live,” she went on. “And for Margot’s sake we’ve simply got to move to New York.” “Oh, you want her to stay at home of nights, instead of living at the school. Why didn’t you speak of that first?” “Not at all,” cried she. “How slow you are! No; for the present, even if we do live in New York, I think it best for Margot to keep on living at the school. She’s barely started there. I want her training to be thorough. And while I’m learning as fast as I can, I am not competent to teach her. I know, of course. But I haven’t had the chance to practice. So I can’t teach her.” “Teach her what?” I inquired. “To be a lady--a practical, expert lady,” replied Edna. “That’s what she’s going to Miss Ryper’s school for. And when she comes out she’ll be the equal of girls who have generations of culture and breeding behind them.” “God bless me!” cried I, laughing. “This Ryper woman must be a wonder.” “She is,” declared Edna. “It was a great favor, her letting Margot into the school.” “Oh, I remember,” said I. “She couldn’t do it until I got two of the directors of the road to insist on it. But I guess that was merely a bluff of hers to squeeze us for a few hundreds extra.” “Not at all,” Edna assured me. “You are _so_ ignorant, Godfrey. Please do be careful not to say those coarse things before people.” “As you please,” said I, cheerfully, for I was used to this kind of calling down. “All the same, the Ryper lady is hot for the dough.”