"Enormous! What a grand idea!--eh, Mr. Ingram? The human race does
not create such things as those nowadays!"

"No, indeed," he answered; "but perhaps we create better things."

"Better! You do not mean to say, Mr. Ingram, that you are an
utilitarian. I do, in truth, hope better things of you than that.
Yes! steam mills are better, no doubt, and mechanics' institutes and
penny newspapers. But is nothing to be valued but what is useful?"
And Miss Dawkins, in the height of her enthusiasm, switched her donkey
severely over the shoulder.

"I might, perhaps, have said also that we create more beautiful
things," said Mr. Ingram.

"But we cannot create older things."

"No, certainly; we cannot do that."

"Nor can we imbue what we do create with the grand associations which
environ those piles with so intense an interest. Think of the mighty
dead, Mr. Ingram, and of their great homes when living. Think of the
hands which it took to raise those huge blocks--"

"And of the lives which it cost."

"Doubtless. The tyranny and invincible power of the royal architects
add to the grandeur of the idea. One would not wish to have back the
kings of Egypt."