The sirocco was gently blowing, the air was heavy, she was tired, she looked a little pale.
"Everything," she said, "seems to say that all things are vanity.

If one is doing something, I suppose one feels a certain strength within one to contradict it.

But if one is idle, surely it is depressing to live, year after year, among the ashes of things that once were mighty.

If I were to remain here I should either become permanently 'low,' as they say, or I would take refuge in some dogged daily work." "What work ?" "I would open a school for those beautiful little beggars; though I am sadly afraid I should never bring myself to scold them." "I am idle," said Rowland, "and yet I have kept up a certain spirit." "I don't call you idle," she answered with emphasis.
"It is very good of you.

Do you remember our talking about that in Northampton ?" "During that picnic?
Perfectly.