Page:In The Cage (London, Duckworth, 1898).djvu/109

Rh laughed, 'almost always, at least, in an interesting place!' He was about to say something in reply to this, but her friendly gaiety was quicker. 'You want a great many things in life, a great many comforts and helps and luxuries—you want everything as pleasant as possible. Therefore, so far as it's in the power of any particular person to contribute to all that' She had turned her face to him smiling, just thinking.

'Oh, see here!' But he was highly amused. 'Well, what then?' he inquired, as if to humour her.

'Why, the particular person must never fail. We must manage it for you somehow.'

He threw back his head, laughing out; he was really exhilarated. 'Oh yes, somehow!'

'Well, I think we each do—don't we?—in one little way and another and according to our limited lights. I'm pleased, at any rate, for myself, that you are; for I assure you I've done my best.'

'You do better than any one!' He had struck a match for another cigarette, and the flame lighted an instant his responsive, finished face,