"There are things to see, I believe," said Jack, "churches and
houses, if you like that sort of thing--I don't; but we might get
up some expeditions--they are rather fun. I think you won't mind my
sister. She isn't bad for a woman. But women don't understand men.
They are always sympathising with you or praising you. They think
that is what men like, but it only means that it is what they would
like. Men like to be left alone--but I daresay she thinks I don't
understand her. Then there's my father! He is quite a good sort,
really; but by George, how he does talk! I often think I'd like to
turn him loose in the Combination Room. No one would have a chance.
Redmayne simply wouldn't be in it with my father. I've invented
rather a good game when he gets off. I try to see how many I can
count before I am expected to make a remark. I have never quite got
up to a thousand, but once I nearly let the cat out by saying nine
hundred and fifty, nine hundred and fifty-one, when my father
stopped for breath. He gave me a look, I can tell you, but I don't
think he saw what I was after. Maud was seized with hysterics. But
he isn't a bad sort of parent, as they go; he fusses, but he lets
one do as one wants. I suppose I oughtn't to give my people away;
but I never can see why one shouldn't talk about one's people just
as if they were anybody else. I don't think I hold things sacred,
as the Dean says: 'Reticence, reticence, the true characteristic of
the English gentleman and the sincere Christian!'" and Jack
delivered himself of some paragraphs of the Dean's famous annual
sermon to freshmen.

"It's abominable, the way you talk," said Howard; "you will corrupt
my ingenuous mind. How shall I meet your father if you talk like
this about him?"