Jim replied that he had not, and the Squire said, "By the bye, Jim, I see that fellow Mackenzie came home in the _Punjaub_. The papers are full of him this evening. Did you happen to meet him?" Jim said that he had shared the same cabin, and that Mackenzie had promised to spend a week-end at Mountfield some time or other. "We are going to make a lion of him in London," said Humphrey. "We haven't had an explorer for a long time. I believe he's shaggy enough to be a great success." "You must bring him over to dine, Jim," said the Squire. "It's interesting to hear about these fellows who trot all over the world. But heavens, what a life!" "A very good life, I think," said Mr. Birket. "Not much chance to get moss-grown." "Now, I'm sure that is a dig at us people who live in the country," said Mrs. Beach. "Because _you_ don't get moss-grown, Mr. Birket." "He would if he lived in the country," said Mrs. Birket. "He would lie on his back all day long and do nothing at all. He has an unequalled power of doing nothing." "Not at all," said Mr. Birket. "I'm a very hard worker. Cicely caught me at it at six o'clock this morning, didn't you, my dear?" "You've no responsibilities, Herbert," the Squire broke in. "If you owned land you wouldn't want to lie on your back." "He is trying to make the land lie on _our_ backs," said Dick. "We shan't have any left soon." "All you Radicals," began the Squire; but Mrs. Beach had something to say: "Mr. Birket, you despise us country folk at the bottom of your heart. I'm sure you do." "Not at all," said Mr. Birket. "I think you live a peaceful and idyllic existence, and are much to be envied." "Peaceful!" the Squire snorted. "That's all you Radicals know about it. I assure you we work as hard as anybody, and get less return for it. I wish you'd tell your precious leaders so, Herbert." "I will," said Mr. Birket. "What with one thing and another," proceeded the Squire, "the days are gone as soon as they are begun." "But when they are finished something has always been done," said Mrs. Beach. "That is the difference between a town life and a country life. In London you are immensely busy and tire yourself to death, but you've nothing to show for it." "Your brains are sharpened up a bit," said Humphrey. "If you have any," suggested Mrs. Graham. "Mother, don't be rude," said Muriel. "The remark had no personal bearing," said Humphrey, with a grin. "I didn't say so," retorted Mrs. Graham. "I think it is a matter of temperament," said Mrs. Birket. "Everybody who lives in London likes the country, and everybody who lives in the country likes London--for a change. But if you had to live in one or the other all the year round----" "I would choose the country," said Mrs. Beach, "and I'm sure you would, Edward." "Of course I would," said the Squire. "I do live in the country all the year round. I've had enough of London to last me all my life."