' Not in the least. It is ridiculous to resent what anybody else chooses to do, so long as it is not a personal attack on one's self. That is the first maxim in my philosophy of life.'
' Published? I shall get it.'
' No; it will be some day. It begins with a short history of the world from the days of Adam, and then the bulk of the book draws lessons from the survey. But that is the first lesson. Let everybody go to the devil in his own way. Your way is by the White Star Line.'
' I don't think you know what you are talking about, Ginger,' said his brother.
' I'm sure I don't,' said Ginger cheerfully.
' Why desecrate the Sabbath stillness, then?'
Ginger was silent a moment.
' That is a personal assault,' he said at length, ' and I resent it. It is unjust, too, because meaningless conversation is utterly in harmony with Sabbath stillness. It completes the sense of repose. It is no tax on the brain. Besides, I do really know what I was talking about; I said I didn't because I don't like arguing.'
' You have been doing nothing else.'
' No. I have been reeling out strings of assertions, which Sybil has languidly contradicted from time to time. You can't call that argument. Look! there's Charlie. Why didn't you marry him, Sybil, and stop in England? Who is that with him? Oh, Judy, isn't it? Are they coming here? What a bore!'
Charlie and Judy strolled across the lawn towards them with extreme slowness. To walk across a lawn for tea and walk back again afterwards was the utmost exercise that Judy ever took.
' I am taking my walk,' she observed as she got near them. ' I am now exactly half way, so I shall rest. Sybil, you look as if you were resting too.'
