that one rages against. It's the same in politics. Some clear-headed
fellow gets up and makes a just law. His enemies and his friends alike
realize that if the law isn't passed there will be a roar from the
public. So they pass the bill with amendments. In other words, they
kill its usefulness. I suppose that's why I am always happy to leave
convention behind, to be sent to the middle of Africa, to Patagonia, or
sign an agreement to go to the North Pole."

"The North Pole? Have you been to the Arctic?"

"No; but I expect to go up in June with an Italian explorer."

"Isn't it terribly lonely up there?"

"It can't be worse than the Sahara or our own Death Valley. One
extreme is as bad as the other. Some time I hope your father will take
me along on one of those treasure hunts. I should like to be in at the
finding of a pirate ship. It would make a boy out of me again."

His eyes were very handsome when he smiled. Boy? she thought. He was
scarce more than that now.

"Pirates' gold! What a lure it has been, is, and will be! Blood
money, brrr! I can see no pleasure in touching it. And the poor,
pathetic trinkets, which once adorned some fair neck! It takes a man's
mind to pass over that side of the picture, and see only the fighting.
But humanity has gone on. The pirate is no more, and the highwayman is
a thing to laugh at."

"Thanks to railways and steamships. It is beautiful here."