Page:Men of Letters, Scott, 1916.djvu/187

MR. GRANVILLE BARKER AND AN ALIBI 161 Philip {happily too). That's it. And I want an art and a culture that shan't be just a veneer on savagery . . . but it must spring in good time from the happiness of a whole people. Jessica gives herself one little shake of womanly common sense. Jessica. Well, what's to be done ? Philip {nobody more practical than he). I've been making suggestions. We must learn to live on a thousand a year . . . put Mildred to a sensible school . . . and I must go on the County Council. That's how these great spiritual revolutions work out in practice, to begin with. Jessica {as one who demands a right). Where's my share of the job ? Philip {conscioiLs of some helplessness). How is a man to tell you ? There's enough to choose from. Jessica {the burden of her sex's present fate upon her). Ah, you're normal. Nobody sizes you up as a good man or a bad man — pretty or plain. There's a trade for bad women and several professions for plain ones. But I've been taught how to be charming and to like dainty clothes. And I dare say I'm excitable and emotional . . . but I can't help it. I'm well off, married to you, I know. You do make me forget I'm a female occasionally. Philip. Male and female created He them . . . and left us to do the rest. Men and women are a long time in the making, aren't they ? Jessica {enviously). Oh . . . you're all right. Philip {with some humble knowledge of himself). Are we ? Jessica. But I tell you, Phil, it isn't so easy for us. You don't always let us have the fairest of chances, do you ? Philip. No, I grant it's not easy. But it's got to be done. Jessica. Yes. . . . She doesn't finish, for really there is no end to the sub- ject. But for a moment or' two longer , happy together, they stand lookhig into the fire. I said, when we started out, that one of the chief joys of criticism was the joy of detection. There is only one other as great — that of indulging in praise. But when the first pleasure leads you at last impera- tively to the second — what extraordinary happiness your craft brings you then ! Mine, this minute, is only Men of Letters. 22