"
The philosopher rose with a dazed look, which always indicates in
such men the fact that they regard philosophy as a familiar thing,
but practical life as a weird and unnerving vision, and walked
dubiously out of the room.
"I hope you do not mind my being aware of it, Miss Chadd," said
Basil Grant, "but I hear that the British Museum has recognized
one of the men who have deserved well of their commonwealth. It is
true, is it not, that Professor Chadd is likely to be made keeper
of Asiatic manuscripts?"
The grim face of the spinster betrayed a great deal of pleasure and
a great deal of pathos also. "I believe it's true," she said. "If
it is, it will not only be great glory which women, I assure you,
feel a great deal, but great relief, which they feel more; relief
from worry from a lot of things. James' health has never been good,
and while we are as poor as we are he had to do journalism and
coaching, in addition to his own dreadful grinding notions and
discoveries, which he loves more than man, woman, or child. I have
often been afraid that unless something of this kind occurred we
should really have to be careful of his brain. But I believe it is
practically settled."
"I am delighted," began Basil, but with a worried face, "but these
red-tape negotiations are so terribly chancy that I really can't
advise you to build on hope, only to be hurled down into
bitterness.
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