THE HARMONY OF VIRTUE

The Harmony of VirtueBook OneKeshav Ganesh [Desai] — Broome WilsonKeshav: My dear Broome, how opportune is your arrival!You will save me from the malady of work, it may be, from thedangerous opium of solitude. How is it I have not seen you forthe last fortnight?Wilson: Surely, Keshav, you can understand the exigenciesof the Tripos.Keshav: Ah, you are a happy man. You can do what youare told. But put off your academical aspirations until tomorrowand we will talk. The cigarettes are on the mantelpiece — excusemy laziness! — and the lucifers are probably stocked inthe fruit-shelf. And here is coffee and a choice between cakeand biscuits. Are you perfectly happy?Wilson: In Elysium. But do not let the cigarettes run dry,the alliance of a warm fire and luxurious cushions will be toostrong for my vigilance. Do you mean to tell me you can workhere?Keshav: Life is too precious to be wasted in labour, and aboveall this especial moment of life, the hour after dinner, when wehave only just enough energy to be idle. Why, it is only for thisI tolerate the wearisome activity of the previous twelve hours.Wilson: You are a living paradox. Is it not just like you topervert indolence into the aim of life?Keshav: Why, what other aim can there be?Wilson: Duty, I presume.Keshav: I cannot consent to cherish an opinion until I realisethe meaning of duty.Wilson: I suppose I have pledged myself to an evening ofmetaphysics. We do our duty when we do what we ought to do.Keshav: A very lucid explanation; but how do we know thatwe are doing what we ought to do.Wilson: Why, we must do what society requires of us.Keshav: And must we do that even when society requires