Anthony Hope 
The Prisoner of Zenda 

“I wonder when in the world you’re going to do anything, Rudolf?” said my brother’s wife.“My dear Rose, ” I answered, laying down my egg-spoon, “why in the world should I do anything? My position is a comfortable one. I have an income nearly sufficient for my wants (no one’s income is ever quite sufficient, you know), I enjoy an enviable social position: I am brother to Lord Burlesdon, and brother-in-law to that charming lady, his countess. Behold, it is enough!”“You are nine-and-twenty, ” she observed, “and you’ve done nothing but—”“Knock about? It is true. Our family doesn’t need to do things.”