Why should they be commonplace?
Why should they be absurd?
Why should it be grotesque to say that a pillar-box is poetic when for a year I could not see a red pillar-box against the yellow evening in a certain street without being wracked with something of which God keeps the secret, but which is stronger than sorrow or joy?
Why should any one be able to raise a laugh by saying 'the Cause of Notting Hill' ?--Notting Hill where thousands of immortal spirits blaze with alternate hope and fear." Auberon was flicking dust off his sleeve with quite a new seriousness on his face, distinct from the owlish solemnity which was the pose of his humour.
"It is very difficult," he said at last.

"It is a damned difficult thing.

I see what you mean; I agree with you even up to a point--or I should like to agree with you, if I were young enough to be a prophet and poet.

I feel a truth in everything you say until you come to the words 'Notting Hill.' And then I regret to say that the old Adam awakes roaring with laughter and makes short work of the new Adam, whose name is Wayne." For the first time Provost Wayne was silent, and stood gazing dreamily at the floor.

Evening was closing in, and the room had grown darker.
"I know," he said, in a strange, almost sleepy voice, "there is truth in what you say, too.