She was a year or two
older than Howard. They did not very often meet, but there was a
pleasant camaraderie between them, an almost brotherly and sisterly
relation. She was a small, quiet, able woman, whose tranquil manner
concealed great clear-headedness and decisiveness. Howard always
said that it was a comfort to talk to her, because she always knew
what her own opinion was, and did what she intended to do. He found
her alone and at tea. She welcomed him drily but warmly. Presently
he said, "I want your advice, Monnie; I want you to make up my mind
for me. I have a feeling that I need a change. I don't mean a
little change, but a big one. I am suddenly aware that I am a
little stale, and I wish to be freshened up."
Monica looked at him and said, "Yes, I expect you are right! You
know I think we ought all to have one big change in our lives,
about your age, I mean. Why don't you put in for a head-mastership?
I have often thought you have rather a gift that way."
"I might do that," said Howard vaguely, "but I don't want a change
of work so much as a change of mind. I have got suddenly bored, and
I am a little vexed with myself. I have always rather held with
William Morris that people ought to live in the same place and do
the same things; and I had no intention of being bored--I have
always thought that very feeble! But I have fallen suddenly into
the frame of mind of knowing exactly what all my friends here are
going to say and think, and that rather takes the edge off
conversation; and I have learned the undergraduate mind too.
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