Claralistenedtohimwithrestlesseyes，asifshewereexcitedandpleased；Dickknittedhisbrowandlookedstillmoreuncomfortable，butsaidnothing。Indeed，theoldmangradually，ashewarmedtohissubject，droppedhissneeringmanner，andbothspokeandlookedveryseriously。ButthegirlbrokeoutbeforeIcoulddelivermyselfoftheanswerIwasframing:
“Books，books！alwaysbooks，grandfather！Whenwillyouunderstandthatafterallitistheworldweliveinwhichinterestsus；theworldofwhichweareapartandwhichwecanneverlovetoomuch？
Look！“shesaud，throwingpopoenthecasementwiderandshowingusthewhitelightsparklingbetweentheblackshadowsofthemoonlitgarden，throughwhichranalittleshiverofthesummernight-wind，“look！
theseareourbooksthesedays！L——andthese，“shesaid，steppinglightlyuptothetwoloversandlayingahandoneachoftheirshoulders；“andtheguestthere，withhisoverseaknowledgeandexperience；——yes，andevenyou，grandfather“asmileranoverherfaceasshespoke，“withallyourgrumblingandwishingyourselfbackagaininthegoodolddays，——inwhich，asfarasIcanmakeoutk，aharmnlessandlazyoldmanlikeyouwouldeitherhaveprettynearlystarved，orhavehadtopaysoldiersandpeopletotakethefolk\'svictualsandclothesandhousesawayfromthembyforce。Yes，theseareourbooks；andifwewantmorek，canwenotfindworktodointhebeautifulbuildingsthatweraiseupalloverthecountryandIknowtherewasnothingliketheminpasttimes，whereinamancanputforthwhateverisinhim，andmakehishandssetforthhismindandhissoul。“
Shepausedalittle，andIformypartcouldnothelpstaringather，andthinkingthatifshewereabook，thepicturesinitweremostlovely。Thecolouriiiimantledinherdelicatesunburntcheeks；hergreyeyes，lightamidstthetanofherface，kindlylookedonusallasshespoke。Shepaused，andsaidagain: