"I wish him to know that he can't have admiration and flattery from every one. It will be the ruination of him."
"Ah! I thought so. So it's really for his good?"
"Well, as I promised to be frank, no; I don't suppose it is. But I can't help it. Things have always been made too easy for him. Why should he be such a darling of the gods? Life isn't easy and pleasant for me. Why should it be for him?"
"I see." Madame Claire laughed suddenly. "Forgive me, Louise, but there's something rather funny in it."
"In what?"
"In your wanting to be a sort of hair shirt. Oh, dear me, I don't know why I laughed. Only, my dear, there's so very little happiness in the world. I'd forgotten there were good people going about trampling on it."
There was a moment's silence.
"I think I'd better go away for a while," said Louise finally.
"Do!" urged Madame Claire. "It would be an excellent thing for both of you. Stay away from Eric long enough to be glad to see him when you get back."
