So they get it into their heads that they're called upon to reform the world--a nice handy little job, that'll keep them going.

The girls, I notice, are beginning to have the same craze.

I shouldn't wonder if Paula gets an idea that she'll be a hospital-nurse, or go district-visiting in Bethnal Green.' 'I certainly should if I thought it would amuse me,' said Paula.

'But why shouldn't Mr.Egremont do work of this kind?
He's in earnest; he doesn't only do it for fun.' 'Of course he's in earnest, and there's the absurdity of it.

Social reform, pooh! Why, who are the real social reformers?
The men who don't care a scrap for the people, but take up ideas because they can make capital out of them.