'Of course, if you grudge us our food and lodging--' 'Don't be so quick-tempered.

You know very well I am far from grudging you anything, dear.

But I only meant to say that Jasper does earn something, you know.' 'It's a disgraceful thing that he doesn't earn as much as he needs.

We are sacrificed to him, as we always have been.

Why should we be pinching and stinting to keep him in idleness ?' 'But you really can't call it idleness, Maud.