Caractacus lifted his glass in unison with hers, "To necessity. May some always be willing to do the necessary thing, not the right or popular thing." He downed the glass in one gulp, then set it on the table.
Then Ms. Prince started talking, and Caractacus started listening. For all the woman was ill-fond of social conventions or rules, she spent a lot of time observing them and by extension the people who acted them out. She took the same approach to all people that most people only gave to those dearest to them, and oftentimes not even then.
"You pay attention to people." His voice held the slightest drawl of fondness, "It is one of the reasons that I find you to be such interesting company. You understand the value of things that other people overlook."