"It is left for women to do that," he answered.

"Oh, women! A woman cries for everything and for nothing. It is
the sharpest arrow she has in her quiver,--the best card in her
hand. When a woman cries, what can you do but give her all she asks
for?"

"Do you--dislike women?"

"No, by Jove! I am never really happy unless one is near me, or
more than one. A man, as a rule, has an amount of energy within him
which he cannot turn to profit on himself alone. It is good for him
to have a woman by him that he may work for her, and thus have
exercise for his limbs and faculties. I am very fond of women. But
I always like those best who are most helpless."

We were silent again for a while, and it was during this time that I
found myself lying with my head in his lap. I had slept, but it
could have been but for a few minutes, and when I woke I found his
hand upon my brow. As I started up he said that the flies had been
annoying me, and that he had not chosen to waken me as I seemed
weary. "It has been that double bathing," I said, apologetically;
for I always feel ashamed when I am detected sleeping in the day.
"In hot weather the water does make one drowsy. By Jove, it's
getting dark; we had better have the horses."

"Stay half a moment," he said, speaking very softly, and laying his
hand upon my arm, "I will not detain you a minute."

"There is no hurry in life," I said.