He told her he had been carefully observing her conduct in the affairs of daily life for eight years.

My dear Regie, _fancy_ waiting eight years for one's next door neighbour, when one was quite old to begin with! You have no idea how much younger and better she looks in a home of her own, and a handsome silk dress.

Can you fancy her always apologising for being so happy?
She thinks she has too much happiness, and is idle, and who knows what.

It makes me feel quite ill, Regie, for if she is idle, and has too much happiness, what am I, and what have I had?
Do you remember the days when you proposed that we should be very religious?
I am sure it's the only way to be very happy: I mean happy _always_, and _underneath_.

Leo says the great mistake is being _too_ religious, and that people ought to keep out of extremes, and not make themselves ridiculous.