But I know that one mustn't trust first impressions. People in
picturesque surroundings don't always feel picturesque. It is very
pleasant to make a drama out of one's life and to feel romantic--
but one can't keep it up--at least I can't. That must come of
itself."

Howard felt that the girl was watching him with a look of almost
startled interest. She said in a moment, "Yes, that's quite true,
and it IS a difficulty. I should like to be able to talk to you
about those things--I hear so much about you, you know, from Jack,
that you are not like a stranger at all. Now papa has got the gift
of romance; every bit of his life is interesting and exciting to
him--it's perfectly splendid--but Jack has not got that at all. I
seem to understand them both, and yet I can't explain them to each
other. I don't mean they don't get on, but neither can quite see
what the other is aiming at. And I have felt that I ought to be
able to do something. I can't understand how you have cleared it
up; but I am very glad and grateful about it: it has been a trouble
to me. Cousin Anne is wonderful about it, but she seems able to let
things alone in a way I can't dare to."

"Oh, one learns that as one gets older," said Howard. "One can't
argue things straight. One can only go on hoping and wishing, and
if possible understanding. I used to make a great mess of it with
my pupils at one time, by thinking one could talk them round; but
one can't persuade people of things, one can only just suggest, and
let it be; and after all no one ever resents finding himself
interesting to some one else; only it has got to be interest, and
not a sense of duty."