She said 'It is wicked to say nice things that you know are not true! What you say is wrong, but I'll still go with you. Maybe then you will see that other people don't see things the way you do. That will teach you a lesson'

Was I less worried after that? Did I think that everyting would go well? You may judge by this fact: right then and there I decided that I would ask for a salary of twelve hundred pounds for the first year. But I didn't tell her; I saved it for a surprise. All the way home I was so happy I couldn't think properly. I heard Hastings talking, but did not hear a word. When he and I entered my parlor, he brought me down to earth. He was amazed by my many comforts and luxuries.

'Let me just stand here for a little while and look at everything. Dear me! it's a palace - it's just a palace! And in it everything anybody could want, including a warm coal fire and supper standing ready. Henry, it doesn't just make me realize how rich you are; it makes me realize, it makes me completely understand, how poor I am - how poor, and how miserable, how defeated and crushed!'

This language really upset me. It scared me right out of my dreams. Again I remembered that I was standing on a half-inch crust, and there was a volcano underneath.