Page:Arminell, a social romance (1896).djvu/113

Rh necessaries. Those who have been exposed to buffets of fortune, been scourged by the cynical and cruel caprice which rules civilized life, will rise up and exact their portions of life's pleasures and comforts. They will say,—we will not be exposed to the chance of being full to-day and empty to-morrow, of working without hope—like Samuel and Joan."

"Sam does not work."

"That is the fault of Providence which blew off his hand and distorted his leg. I say, the needy and the workers will ask why we should be well-dressed, well-housed, well-fed, hear good music, buy good pictures, ride good horses——" her thoughts moved faster than her words; she broke off her sentence without finishing it. "Papa! why, at a meet, should Giles have his pony and little Cribbage run on his feet?"

"Upon my soul," answered Lord Lamerton, "I can't answer in any other way than this—because I keep a pony and the rector does not for his little boy."

"But, papa, I think the time must come when you will have to justify your riding a good hunter and wearing a red coat; and I for wearing a tailor-made habit, whilst Miss Jones has but a skirt."

"Look here, Armie," said her father, "how dense, how like snow the fog is lying on the pasture by the water."

"Yes, papa, but——"

"There is no fog here, on the higher land."

"No, papa."

"There is frost below when there is none here."

"Yes, papa."

"Why so?"

"Because that lies low, and this high."

"But why should that lie low, and this high?"

"Of course, because—it is the configuration of the land."