everything."

He sighed, and then smiled and said: "At least let us rejoice that
we have got back our childhood again. I drink to the days that are!"

"Second childhood," said I in a low voice, and then blushed at my
double rudeness, and hoped that he hadn't heard. But he had, and
turned to me smiling, and said: "Yes, why not? And for my part, I
hope it may last long; and that the world's next period of wise and
unhappy manhood, if that should happen, will speedily lead us to a
third childhood: if indeed this age be not our third. Meantime, my
friend, you must know that we are too happy, both individually and
collectively, to trouble ourselves about what is to come hereafter."

"Well, for my part," said Clara, "I wish we were interesting enough
to be written or painted about."

Dick answered her with some lover's speech, impossible to be written
down, and then we sat quiet a little.



CHAPTER XVII: HOW THE CHANGE CAME



Dick broke the silence at last, saying: "Guest, forgive us for a
little after-dinner dulness. What would you like to do? Shall we
have out Greylocks and trot back to Hammersmith? or will you come
with us and hear some Welsh folk sing in a hall close by here? or