And a year later: "I'd like to take up this philosophy seriously,
but I don't feel justified."

"Why not?"

"Because it brings in no return. I think I'm a great philosopher,
but then all philosophers think that, though they don't dare to
say so. But, however great I am. I shan't earn money. Perhaps I
shan't ever be able to keep myself. I shan't even get a good
social position. You've only to say one word, and I'll work for
the Civil Service. I'm good enough to get in high."

Mr. Ansell liked money and social position. But he knew that
there is a more important thing, and replied, "You must take up
this philosophy seriously, I think."

"Another thing--there are the girls."

"There is enough money now to get Mary and Maud as good husbands
as they deserve." And Mary and Maud took the same view.
It was in this plebeian household that Rickie spent part of the
Christmas vacation. His own home, such as it was, was with the
Silts, needy cousins of his father's, and combined to a peculiar
degree the restrictions of hospitality with the discomforts of a
boarding-house. Such pleasure as he had outside Cambridge was in
the homes of his friends, and it was a particular joy and honour
to visit Ansell, who, though as free from social snobbishness as
most of us will ever manage to be, was rather careful when he
drove up to the facade of his shop.