Part 20 (1/2)

”Davie means that there is something besides one's pleasure to be considered in this world,” said Frank.

”David means that Jem can find pleasure and profit without going so far for them,” said Mrs Inglis.

”David is a young prig,” said Mr Philip to himself, and as they were going home he said it to his brother in decided terms.

”That's your idea of it, is it?” said Frank. ”You know just about as much of Davie and Aunt Mary, and that sort of people, as I know about the Emperor of China. I know there _is_ such a person, and that is all I do know.”

Philip laughed.

”It is never too late to learn, and if they have no objection, I mean to know them better.”

”They are not your kind of people,” said Frank, decidedly.

”You mean they are very good and religious and all. I am not a heathen or a Turk, Frank, my boy.”

”I could never make you understand the difference,” said Frank, gravely.

”Never make you understand!” said Philip, mimicking his voice and manner. ”I think I can understand them pretty well without your help.

Don't trouble yourself. They are just like other people. It is true that Mrs Inglis looks just as much of a lady in her plain gown and in that shabby room as she could in any of the fine drawing-rooms, and that is more than could be said of some of the ladies I know. She is a good woman, too, I am sure. As for Davie, he is a young prig--though he is good, too, I dare say. Violet is a little modest flower. They are very nice, all of them, but they are not beyond my powers of comprehension, I fancy, Frank, lad.”

”All right, if you think so,” said Frank.

Philip was amused and a little vexed at his brother's persistency.

”Do you know them, Frank,--'understand' them, as you call it?”

”I know they are very different from us, and from all the people we know most about, and I think I know what makes the difference, though I don't quite understand it. You would know what I mean if you had seen Mr Inglis and knew the kind of life he lived.”

”I have seen, and I know what his character was. He was an unworldly sort of man, I believe.”

”He did not live for his own pleasure,” said Frank, gravely. ”He wasn't his own. He lived to serve his Master. I can't tell you. You should speak to Davie or Violet about him, or to Aunt Mary.”

”Well, so I will, some day,” said Philip.

Frank made no reply.

In the meantime Mr Philip was being just as freely discussed by the young people they had left. Jem was delighted with their new friend.

He was a fine fellow, not at all ”swell,” as he had supposed. Jem grew enthusiastic over his friendliness, his boat, his rowing, and hoped he might come often. So did the little ones.

”David does not like him,” said Violet.

”I liked him this afternoon well enough,” said David.

”Yes, he was nice this afternoon; but he is not always nice with his sisters. He is good to the little ones,” said Violet.

”I dare say his sisters are not very good to him. I can easily believe it,” said Jem.

”He is not like the people we have been taught to admire,” said David.

”He always thinks of himself first,” said Violet. ”And he is not really in earnest about anything.”