It was passive, underlying, subconscious, as beneath
vigour's incredulity of death lies passively admission of death's
final certitude. He believed what she believed; but he believed it
as are believed infinity and eternity: wherein mankind, believing,
reposes upon that limitation of the human mind which cannot conceive
infinity but sees ultimately an end, and can pretend eternity through
myriad years but feels ultimately a termination. Harry believed
what she believed but only by stabilisation of a man's inherent
articles of faith. He was of the male kind; and observe, by an
incident, what inherent processes of thought the male kind has:
When they were looking over the house which ultimately they
took--an all ways most desirable house in Montpelier Crescent,
Knightsbridge--Rosalie had only a single objection: it was far too
big.
"Miles too big," cried Rosalie, coming up to the second floor where
Harry had preceded her. "What are you doing there, Harry? Miles
too big, I was saying. It really is. Of course I realise you must
have a house suitable to your fame but--What are you doing, Harry?"
"Fame, yes," breathed Harry, desperately occupied. "I've turned
on this tap and I can't turn it off again. Eternal fame. After me
the deluge!"
She was looking around. "But, Harry, really! Look at this floor.
Two more huge rooms. What can we--"
"Mice and Mumps!" groaned Harry, straining at the tap. "Mice and
Mumps!"
He came to her wiping his hands on his handkerchief.
Pages:
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253