me. Supposing your wife—or Lilly's wife—asks for security and for provision, as Sir William says. Surely she has a right to it."
"lf I've no right to it myself—and I have no right to it, if I don't want it—then what right has she?"
"Every right, I should say. All the more since you are improvident."
"Then she must manage her rights for herself. It's no good her foisting her rights on to me."
"Isn't that pure selfishness?"
"It may be. I shall send my wife money as long as I've money to send."
"And supposing you have none?"
"Then I can't send it—and she must look out for herself."
"I call that almost criminal selfishness."
"I can't help it."
The conversation with the young Major broke off.
"It is certainly a good thing for society that men like you and Mr. Lilly are not common," said Sir William, laughing.
"Becoming commoner every day, you'll find," interjaculated the Colonel.
"Indeed! Indeed! Well. May we ask you another question, Mr. Sisson? I hope you don't object to our catechism?"
"No. Nor your judgment afterwards," said Aaron, grinning.
"Then upon what grounds did you abandon your family? I know it is a tender subject. But Lilly spoke of it to us, and as far I could see. . . ."
"There were no grounds," said Aaron. "No, there weren't. I just left them."
"Mere caprice?"
"If it's a caprice to be begotten—and a caprice to be born—and a caprice to die—then that was a caprice, for it was the same."
"Like birth or death? I don't follow."
