Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/222

THE AMERICAN of a void. I'm not proficient in literature, as you are, sir, and I get tired of dining out and going to the opera. I miss my business activity. You see I began to earn my living when I was almost a baby, and until a few months ago I've never had my hand off the plough. I miss the regular call on my attention."

This speech was followed by a profound silence of some moments on the part of Newman's entertainers. Valentin stood looking at him fixedly, hands in pockets, and then slowly, with a half-sidling motion, went out of the room. The Marquis continued to draw on his gloves and to smile benignantly. "You began to earn your living in the cradle?" said the old Marquise, who appeared to wish to encourage, a little grimly, yet not wholly without an effect of pleasantry, her guest's autobiographic strain.

"Well, madam, I'm not absolutely convinced I had a cradle!"

"You say you're not proficient in literature," M. de Bellegarde resumed; "but you must do yourself the justice to remember that your studies were interrupted early."

"That's very true; on my tenth birthday my schooling stopped short. I thought that a grand way to keep it. Still, I have picked up knowledge," Newman smiled.

"You have some sisters?" Madame de Bellegarde enquired.

"Yes, two splendid sisters. I wish you knew them!" 192