Still, there's plenty of time to think about that.

You're only engaged." "Teachin' 's worse than preachin'"-- Adelaide's new, or, rather, revived democracy was an aspiration rather than an actuality, was--as to the part above the soil, at least--a not very vigorous looking forced growth through sordid necessity.

In this respect it was like many, perhaps most, human aspirations--and, like them, it was far more likely to wither than to flourish.

"Teachin' 's worse than preachin'"-- Del began to slip dismally down from the height to which Arthur's tactless outburst had blown her.

Down, and down, and down, like a punctured balloon--gently, but steadily, dishearteningly.