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"
"I never had Herbert's physique; and that makes an immense
difference. I had no taste or capacity for what is a great
privation to a fine young fellow like him. Don't look startled! He
attempts nothing unfitting; he is too good and dutiful, but--"
"Yes, I know what that _but_ means."
"Nothing to be unhappy about. You know how blameless he has always
been at Eton and Oxford; and though he may view his work rather in a
school-boy aspect, and me as a taskmaster, as long as he is doing
right the growth is going on. Don't be unhappy, Jenny! His great
clear young voice is delightful to hear; he is capital at choral
practices, and is a hero to all the old women and boys, the more so
for the qualities that earnestness cannot give, but rather detracts
from."
"You mean that he is not in earnest?"
"Don't pervert all I say! He is not past the time of life when all
appointed work seems a task, and any sort of excuse a valid cause
against it; but he is conscientious, and always good-humoured under
a scolding,--and Rosamond does not spare him," he added, laughing.


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