The two girls were ministers to him, instead of having him as their slave.
"What fine fellows those Alpine club men think themselves," he said on one of these occasions, "and how thoroughly they despise the sort of enjoyment I get from mountains.

But they're mistaken." "I don't see why either need be mistaken," said Alice.
"But they are mistaken," he continued.

"They rob the mountains of their poetry, which is or should be their greatest charm.

Mont Blanc can have no mystery for a man who has been up it half a dozen times.
It's like getting behind the scenes at a ballet, or making a conjuror explain his tricks." "But is the exercise nothing ?" said Kate.
"Yes; the exercise is very fine;--but that avoids the question." "And they all botanize," said Alice.
"I don't believe it.

I believe that the most of them simply walk up the mountain and down again.