"I think
it very good for you to have means."
Isabel looked at him with serious eyes. "I wonder whether you know
what's good for me- or whether you care."
"If I know depend upon it I care. Shall I tell you what it is? Not
to torment yourself."
"Not to torment you, I suppose you mean."
"You can't do that; I'm proof. Take things more easily. Don't ask
yourself so much whether this or that is good for you. Don't
question your conscience so much- it will get out of tune like a
strummed piano. Keep it for great occasions. Don't try so much to form
your character- it's like trying to pull open a tight, tender young
rose. Live as you like best, and your character will take care of
itself. Most things are good for you; the exceptions are very rare,
and a comfortable income's not one of them." Ralph paused, smiling;
Isabel had listened quickly. "You've too much power of thought-
above all too much conscience," Ralph added. "It's out of all
reason, the number of things you think wrong. Put back your watch.
Diet your fever. Spread your wings; rise above the ground. It's
never wrong to do that."
She had listened eagerly, as I say; and it was her nature to
understand quickly.
Pages:
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390