The Pension Beaurepas by Henry James
page 36 of 81 (44%)
page 36 of 81 (44%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
"Ah, I am glad to hear that. You are gathering up a little European culture; that's what we lack, you know, at home. No individual can do much, of coarse. But you must not be discouraged; every little counts." "I see that you, at least, are doing your part," I rejoined gallantly, dropping my eyes on my companion's learned volume. "Yes, I frankly admit that I am fond of study. There is no one, after all, like the Germans. That is, for facts. For opinions I by no means always go with them. I form my opinions myself. I am sorry to say, however," Mrs. Church continued, "that I can hardly pretend to diffuse my acquisitions. I am afraid I am sadly selfish; I do little to irrigate the soil. I belong--I frankly confess it--to the class of absentees." "I had the pleasure, last evening," I said, "of making the acquaintance of your daughter. She told me you had been a long time in Europe." Mrs. Church smiled benignantly. "Can one ever be too long? We shall never leave it." "Your daughter won't like that," I said, smiling too. "Has she been taking you into her confidence? She is a more sensible young lady than she sometimes appears. I have taken great pains with her; she is really--I may be permitted to say it--superbly educated." |
|