I retorted with some haughtiness, but also with some hesitation.

‘A great deal of work you do! that’s not what you’re thinking about! Well, I won’t find fault with that � at your age that’s in the natural order of things. But you’ve been awfully unlucky in your choice. Don’t you see what this house is?’

‘I don’t understand you,’ I observed.

‘You don’t understand? so much the worse for you. I regard it as a duty to warn you. Old bachelors, like me, can come here, what harm can it do us! we’re tough, nothing can hurt us, what harm can it do us; but your skin’s tender yet – this air is bad for you – believe me, you may get harm from it.’