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some exercise.”
    â€œHas any of us much to complain of?” said Madeline. “No one should ask too much.”
    â€œWe don’t ask anything,” said Erica. “We are guilty for having to receive. We can’t be quite without requirements, and that is our proper condition.”
    â€œWe all have to receive. And it is better to be grateful than guilty.”
    â€œIf we can be one without the other,” said Osbert. “We could not.”
    â€œIs Madeline pointing out your path?” said Eliza, entering in the cordial spirit she showed with guests. “You will have to get used to our family ways. I daresay you have some of your own.”
    â€œWe have them instead of anything else,” said Erica. “We have nothing but ways.”
    â€œWhat would your grandmother say to that?”
    â€œShe would say nothing. She does not answer words that are unwise. It is one of our ways.”
    â€œThere may be ways in a good many households,” said Madeline in a tone without expression.
    â€œWell, it is one of ours to go into luncheon at this hour,” said Eliza. “And I hope one of yours to do justice to it. Here is my husband, glad to welcome guests and have a full table. Are you a large family at home?”
    â€œWe are five when my little sister is not at school,” said Erica. “And when my uncle is with us.”
    â€œOh yes, she is at my daughter’s school,” said Sir Robert. “It is true that the world is small. Hermia is on fresh ground there. I hope she is walking warily.”
    â€œShe hardly is,” said Osbert. “My sister regards her as a power.”
    â€œThat is how she would tend to be regarded,” said Eliza. “But it is soon to have achieved it. I fear she is going too fast.”
    â€œYes, at lightning speed. The changes are hard on each other. We hear of them day by day.”
    â€œI hope your grandmother approves of them?”
    â€œShe does not approve of things,” said Erica. “It is a thing she does not do.”
    â€œChanges have their share of disapproval,” said Sir Robert. “It may not be against them.”
    â€œIt is not in their favour,” said Eliza. “And suddenness and self-will are against anything. But I don’t know why we talk about the matter. It is not an important one.”
    â€œAre we always to talk about important things?” said Madeline. “I suppose everything has its own importance.”
    â€œWhat does your grandmother think of the escapade?” said Sir Robert. “No doubt that is how she regards it.”
    â€œIt is not as she ought,” said Osbert. “She said she respected all useful work when she made me a country attorney.”
    â€œNo doubt she had her own reasons,” said Madeline. “We know she is glad to do all she can for you.”
    â€œShe does it, and would like it to be more. But I don’t think she is glad. She wishes there was no need for it, as we do.”
    â€œI am sure you are really grateful to her.”
    â€œAre you? She is not. She expresses doubt on the matter.”
    â€œHas your uncle a profession?” said Sir Robert.
    â€œNo. A godfather left him money and ended the need for one.”
    â€œThat may not be wholly for his own benefit,” said Madeline. “But he is free to share your family life. For you it has its happy side.”
    â€œIn varying degrees,” said Osbert. “Erica has his love, and Amy a modicum of it. I have his recognition that I can’t help existing, and his suspicion that I would not help it if I could. In my case he would think the worst.”
    â€œDoes he manage to fill his time?” said Sir Robert.
    â€œYes, he does in his own way. He has his great interest and object, his wealth and its increase.”
    There was a pause.
    â€œI suppose this is a thing I should not say,” said Madeline, as she prepared to say it.