Yet you propose to treat her exactly as if
she were living in England. That strikes me as somewhat unreasonable."
"Mr. van Koppen has promised us--"
"He may do what he likes with his money. But I don't see why I should
become the pivot for making my good friend do what strikes me as a
foolish action. I am too fond of him for that. Mr. van Koppen and
myself have many points in common; among other things this feature,
that neither of us is of aristocratic birth. I suspect this is what
made you count on me for a subscription. You thought that I, having a
little money of my own, might be tempted by certain sycophantic
instincts to emulate his misplaced generosity. But I am not a snob.
From the social point of view I don't care a tuppenny damn for anyone.
On the other hand, my origin has given me something of Dr. Samuel
Johnson's respect for what he calls his betters. I like the upper
classes, especially when they behave according to their old traditions.
That is why I like Miss Wilberforce. She conducts herself, if report be
true, with all the shamelessness of a born lady.
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