"I am, though; I am no longer 'in the know' of things, as you say, and I don't object to be instructed about certain matters on which I am absolutely ignorant."
On taking her seat at table, the marchioness, addressing Jean, continued:
"You were saying that the young men who were not precisely the intellectual ones were--"
"Oh, I am not good at explanations," he replied.
"Well, those who are not really intellectual are of the sickly kind; they act that sort of thing to begin with, and then they end by getting like it in reality; they are intolerably affected, effeminate, crazy, and everything else beside. They set up for being original, and not like anyone else."
"I don't exactly know; they are of the complex kind. There's young La Balue, for instance, he's a perfect example for you of this class; you might study him."
"That's an idea that has never entered my head; but, in the young generation of to-day, there are others beside these complex ones."
"Specimen, Pierrot!"--remarked Henry de Bracieux.
The marchioness turned towards her grandson.
"Don't be personal," she said. "Continue your little speech, Jean."
"I would rather eat my egg in peace, aunt!"
"Well, then, if the complex young men of to-day are a trifle sickening, the athletes are the greatest nuisances under the sun. Boxing, football, bicycles, matches, and records--all that, they consider of the most tremendous and vital importance, not only in their conversation, but, what is more regrettable still, in their lives. In their opinion, a man of worth is the one who can give the hardest blows, or who is endowed with the greatest strength or vigour; all their admiration is bestowed on one single being in the world--_the Champion_, with a capital C."
"And what is there between the complex young man and the athletes?"
"Nothing; or, at least, some exceptions so rare that they are there simply to confirm the rule. Of course, I am only talking now of the young generation, of the latest--Pierrot's, in fact."
"Do leave poor Pierrot in peace!" said Bijou; "you all find fault with him."
"Because it is not too late yet for him to put his young self to rights, and if he were to be let alone, he would soon degenerate in the most deplorable manner."