The blotting book

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Title:TheBlottingBook
Author:E.F.Benson
ReleaseDate:March7,2004[EBook#11493][Datelastupdated:December21,
2004]
Language:English
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TheBlottingBook
ByE.F.BENSON
1908


CHAPTERI
Mrs.Assheton'shouseinSussexSquare,Brighton,wasappointedwiththat
finishofsmoothstatelinesswhichrobsstatelinessofitsformality,andconceals
theamountoftroubleandpersonalattentionwhichhas,originallyinanycase,
beenspentontheproductionofthesmoothness.Everythingmovedwiththe
regularityofthesolarsystem,and,superiortothatwildrushofheavybodies
throughinfiniteether,therewasnevertheslightestfearofcometsstreakingtheir
unconjecturedwayacrossthesky,ormeteoritesfallingonunsuspicious
picnicers.InMrs.Assheton'shouse,supremeoverclimaticconditions,nobody

everfeltthatroomswereeithertoohotortoocold,apleasantlyfreshyet
comfortablywarmatmospherepervadedtheplace,mealswerealwayspunctual
andheradmirableScotchcookneverservedupadishwhich,whetherplainor
ornate,wasnot,initsway,perfectlyprepared.Acoupleofdeftandnoiseless
parlour-maidsattendedtoandanticipatedthewantsofherguests,fromthe
momenttheyenteredherhospitabledoorstillwhen,ontheirleavingthem,their
coatswereheldfortheminthemostconvenientpossiblemannerfortheeasy
insertionofthehumanarm,andthetailsoftheirdinner-coatscunninglyand
unerringlytweakedfrombehind.Ineverywayinfactthehousewasanexample
ofperfectcomfort;thesoftestcarpetsoverlaidthefloors,or,wherethepolished
woodwasleftbare,theparquetryshonewithamoonlikeradiance;thenewest
andmostentertainingbooks(readycut)stoodonthewell-orderedshelvesinthe
sitting-roomtobeguiletheleisureofthestudiouslyminded;thebilliardtable
wasalwaysspecklessofdust,notipwasevermissingfromanycue,andthe
cigaretteboxesandmatch-standswerealwayskeptreplenished.Inthediningroomthesilverwasresplendent,untilthemomentwhenbeforedessertthecloth
waswithdrawn,andshowedarosewoodtablethatmighthaveservedfora
mirrortoNarcissus.
Mrs.Assheton,untilheronlysurvivingsonMorrishadcometolivewithher
somethreemonthsagoonthecompletionofhisfouryearsatCambridge,had


beenalone,butevenwhenshewasalonethisceremonyofdrawingtheclothand
puttingonthedessertandwinehadneverbeenomitted,thoughsinceshenever
tookeither,itmightseemtobeawastedpieceofroutineonthepartofthetwo
noiselessparlourmaids.Butshedidnotintheleastconsideritso,forjustasshe
alwaysdressedfordinnerherselfwiththesamecareandfinish,whethershewas
goingtodinealoneorwhether,astonight,aguestortwowasdiningwithher,as
anoffering,sotospeak,onthealtarofherownself-respect,soalsosherequired
self-respectandtheformalitythatindicateditonthepartofthosewho
ministeredathertable,andenjoyedsuchexcellentwages.Thisprettyoldfashionedcustomhadalwaysbeentheruleinherownhome,andherhusband

hadalwayshaditpractisedduringhislife.Andsincethen—hisdeathhad
occurredsometwentyyearsago—nothingthatsheknewofhadhappenedto
makeitlessproperordesirable.Kindofheartandwarmofsoulthoughshewas,
shesawnoreasonforlettingtheseexcellentqualitiescoveranyslacknessor
breachofobservanceinthesocialformoflifetowhichshehadbeen
accustomed.Therewasnocause,becauseonewaskindandwise,toeatwith
badlycleanedsilver,unlesstheparlour-maidwhoseofficeitwastocleanitwas
unwell.Insuchacase,iftheextraworkentailedbyherillnesswouldthrowtoo
muchontheshouldersoftheotherservants,Mrs.Asshetonwouldwillingly
cleanthesilverherself,ratherthanthatitshouldappeardullandtarnished.Her
formalism,suchasitwas,wasperfectlysimpleandsincere.Shewould,without
anyverypoignantregretorsenseofmartyrdom,hadherverycomfortable
incomebeencutdowntoatenthofwhatitwas,havegonetoliveinafourroomedcottagewithoneservant.Butshewouldhaveleftthatfour-roomed
cottageatonceforevenhumblersurroundingshadshefoundthatherstraitened
circumstancesdidnotpermithertokeepitasspecklessandsoignéeaswasher
presenthouseinSussexSquare.
Thisachievementofhavinglivedfornearlysixtyyearssodecorouslymay
perhapsbeasomewhatfinerperformancethanitsounds,butMrs.Assheton
broughtashercontributiontolifeingeneralafarfinerofferingthanthat,for
thoughshedidnotproposetochangeherwaysandmanneroflifeherself,she
wasnotoriouslysympatheticwiththechangedlifeoftheyoungergeneration,
andinconsequencehadtheconfidenceofyoungfolkgenerally.Atthismoment
shewasenjoyingthefruitsofherliberalattitudeinthevolubilityofherson
Morris,whosatattheendofthetableoppositetoher.Hisvolubilitywasat
presentconcernedwithhismotor-car,inwhichhehadarrivedthatafternoon.
"Darlingmother,"hewassaying,"Ireallywasfrightenedastowhetheryou


wouldmind.Icouldn'thelprememberinghowyoureceivedMr.Taynton's
proposalthatyoushouldgoforadriveinhiscar.Don'tyouremember,Mr.

Taynton?Mother'snosedidgointheair.It'snousedenyingit.SoIthought,
perhaps,thatshewouldn'tlikemyhavingone.ButIwanteditsodreadfully,and
soIboughtitwithouttellingher,anddrovedowninitto-day,whichismy
birthday,sothatshecouldn'tbetoosevere."
Mr.Taynton,whileMorriswasspeaking,hadpickedupthenutcrackerstheboy
hadbeenusing,andwasgravelyexplodingtheshellsofthenutshehadhelped
himselfto.SoMorriscrackedthenextonewithaloudbangbetweenhiswhite
eventeeth.
"DearMorris,"saidhismother,"howfoolishofyou.GiveMr.Morrisanother
nutcracker,"sheaddedtotheparlour-maid.
"What'sfoolish?"askedhe,crackinganother.
"OhMorris,yourteeth,"shesaid."Dowaitamoment.Yes,that'sright.Andhow
canyousaythatmynosewentintheair?I'msureMr.Tayntonwillagreewith
methatthatisreallylibellous.Andasforyourbeingafraidtotellmeyouhad
boughtamotor-caryourself,why,thatissillierthancrackingnutswithyour
teeth."
Mr.Tayntonlaughedacomfortablemiddle-agedlaugh.
"Don'tputtheresponsibilityonme,Mrs.Assheton,"hesaid."Aslongas
Morris'sbankdoesn'ttellusthathisaccountisoverdrawn,hecandowhathe
pleases.Butifwearetoldthat,thendowncomesthecartloadsofbricks."
"Oh,youareabrickallright,Mr.Taynton,"saidtheboy."Icouldstanda
cartloadofyou."
Mr.Taynton,likehislaugh,wascomfortableandmiddle-aged.Solicitorsare
supposedtobesharp-facedandfox-like,buthisfacewaswell-furnishedand
comely,andhisratherbaldheadbeamedwithbenevolenceanddinner.
"Mydearboy,"hesaid,"anditisyourbirthday—Icannothonoureitheryouor
thiswonderfulportmoreproperlythanbydrinkingyourhealthinit."
Hebeganandfinishedhisglasstothehealthhehadsoneatlyproposed,and

Morrislaughed.
"Thankyouverymuch,"hesaid."Mother,dosendtheportround.Whatan
inhospitablewoman!"
Mrs.Asshetonrose.
"Iwillleaveyoutobemorehospitablethanme,then,dear,"shesaid.
"Shallwego,Madge?Indeed,Iamafraidyoumust,ifyouaretocatchthetrain
toFalmer."
MadgeTempletongotupwithherhostess,andthetwomenrosetoo.Shehad
beensittingnextMorris,andtheboylookedathereagerly.
"It'stoobad,yourhavingtogo,"hesaid."ButdoyouthinkImaycomeovertomorrow,intheafternoonsometime,andseeyouandLadyTempleton?"
Madgepausedamoment.
"Iamsosorry,"shesaid,"butweshallbeawayallday.Weshan'tbebacktill
quitelate."
"Oh,whatabore,"saidhe,"andIleaveagainonFriday.Doletmecomeandsee
youoffthen."
ButMrs.Asshetoninterposed.
"No,dear,"shesaid,"Iamgoingtohavefiveminutes'talkwithMadgebefore
shegoesandwedon'twantyou.LookafterMr.Taynton.Iknowhewantstotalk
toyouandIwanttotalktoMadge."
Mr.Taynton,whenthedoorhadclosedbehindtheladies,satdownagainwitha
ratherobviousairofproposingtoenjoyhimself.Itwasquitetruethathehada
fewpleasantthingstosaytoMorris,itisalsotruethatheimmenselyappreciated
thewonderfulportwhichglowed,ruby-like,inthenearlyfulldecanterthatlay
tohishand.And,aboveall,he,withhisbusylife,occupiedforthemostpartin
innumerablesmallaffairs,revelledinthesenseofleisureandserenesmoothness
whichpermeatedMrs.Assheton'shouse.Hewasstillayearortwoshortof
sixty,andbutforhisverybaldandshiningheadwouldhaveseemedyounger,so


freshwasheincomplexion,soactive,despiteacertainreassuringcorpulency,

washeinhismovements.Butwhenhedinedquietlylikethis,atMrs.
Assheton's,hewouldwillinglyhavesacrificedthenextfiveyearsofhislifeifhe
couldhavebeenassuredonreallyreliableauthority—theauthorityforinstance
oftheRecordingAngel—thatinfiveyearstimehewouldbeabletositquietand
notworkanymore.Hewantedverymuchtobeabletotakeapassiveinsteadof
anactiveinterestinlife,andthisafewhundredsofpoundsayearinadditionto
hissavingswouldenablehimtodo.Hesaw,infact,thegoalarrivedatwhichhe
wouldbeabletositstillandwaitwithserenityandcalmnessfortheeventwhich
wouldcertainlyrelievehimofallfurthermaterialanxieties.Hisveryactivelife,
theactivitiesofwhichweresolargelybenevolent,hadattheexpirationoffiftyeightyearsalittletiredhim.Hecovetedtheleisurewhichwassonearlyhis.
Morrislitacigaretteforhimself,havingpreviouslypassedthewineto
Mr.Taynton.
"Ihateport,"hesaid,"butmymothertellsmethisisallright.Itwaslaiddown
theyearIwasbornbytheway.Youdon'tmindmysmokingdoyou?"
This,totellthetruth,seemedalmostsacrilegioustoMr.Taynton,fortheidea
thattobacco,especiallythefrivolouscigarette,shouldburninaroomwheresuch
portwasbeingdrunkwassheercrimeagainsthumananddivinelaws.Buthe
couldscarcelyindicatetohishostthatheshouldnotsmokeinhisowndiningroom.
"No,mydearMorris,"hesaid,"butreallyyoualmostshockme,whenyou
prefertobaccotothisnectar,Iassureyounectar.Andthecar,now,tellmemore
aboutthecar."
Morrislaughed.
"I'msodeeplythankfulIhaven'toverdrawn,"hesaid."Oh,thecar'saclipper.
WecamedownfromHaywardsHeaththemostgorgeouspace.Isawone
policemantryingtotakemynumber,butweraisedsuchadust,Idon'tthinkhe
canhavebeenabletoseeit.It'ssuchrotonlygoingtwentymilesanhourwitha
clearstraightroadahead."
Mr.Tayntonsighed,gentlyandnotunhappily.
"Yes,yes,mydearboy,Isosympathisewithyou,"hesaid."Speedandviolence

istheproperattitudeofyouth,justasstrengthwithamoremeasuredpaceisthe
propergaitforolderfolk.Andthat,IfancyisjustwhatMrs.Asshetonfelt.She
wouldfeelittobeasunnaturalinyoutocaretodrivewithherinhervery
comfortablevictoriaasshewouldfeelittobeunnaturalinherselftowishtogo
inyourlightningspeedmotor.Andthatremindsme.Asyourtrustee—"
Coffeewasbroughtinatthismoment,carried,notbyoneofthediscreetparlourmaids,butbyayoungman-servant.Mr.Taynton,withtheportstillbyhim,
refusedit,butlookedrathercuriouslyattheservant.Morrishowevermixed
himselfacupinwhichcream,sugar,andcoffeewereaboutequallymingled.
"Anewservantofyourmother's?"heasked,whenthemanhadlefttheroom.
"Ohno.It'smyman,Martin.Awfullyhandychap.Cleanssilver,bootsandthe
motor.Drivesit,too,whenI'lllethim,whichisn'tveryoften.Chauffeursare
suchrotters,aren'tthey?RegularchauffeursImean.Theyalwaysmakeoutthat
somethingiswrongwiththecar,justasdentistsalwaysfindsomeholeinyour
teeth,ifyougotothem."
Mr.Tayntondidnotreplytothesecriticalgeneralitiesbutwentbacktowhathe
hadbeensayingwhentheentryofcoffeeinterruptedhim.
"Asyourmothersaid,"heremarked,"Iwantedtohaveafewwordswithyou.
Youaretwenty-two,areyounot,to-day?Well,whenIwasyoungweconsidered
anyoneoftwenty-twoaboystill,butnowIthinkyoungfellowsgrowupmore
quickly,andattwenty-two,youareamannowadays,andIthinkitistimefor
you,sincemytrusteeshipforyoumayendanydaynow,totakearathermore
activeinterestinthestateofyourfinancesthanyouhavehithertodone.Iwant
youinfact,mydearfellow,tolistentomeforfiveminuteswhileIstateyour
positiontoyou."
Morrisindicatedtheportagain,andMr.Tayntonrefilledhisglass.
"Ihavehadtwentyyearsofstewardshipforyou,"hewenton,"andbeforemy
stewardshipcomestoanend,whichitwilldoanyhowinthreeyearsfromnow,
andmaycometoanendanyday—"
"Why,howisthat?"askedMorris.

"Ifyoumarry,mydearboy.Bythetermsofyourfather'swill,yourmarriage,


providedittakesplacewithyourmother'sconsent,andafteryourtwenty-second
birthday,putsyouincompletecontrolandpossessionofyourfortune.
Otherwise,asofcourseyouknow,youcomeofage,legallyspeaking,onyour
twenty-fifthbirthday."
Morrislitanothercigaretteratherimpatiently.
"Yes,IknewIwasaminortillIwastwenty-five,"hesaid,"andIsupposeIhave
knownthatifImarriedaftertheageoftwenty-two,Ibecameamajor,or
whateveryoucallit.Butwhatthen?Doletusgoandplaybilliards,I'llgiveyou
twenty-fiveinahundred,becauseI'vebeenplayingalotlately,andI'llbethalfa
crown."
Mr.Taynton'sfistgentlytappedthetable.
"Done,"hesaid,"andwewillplayinfiveminutes.ButIhavesomethingtosay
toyoufirst.Yourmother,asyouknow,enjoystheincomeofthebulkofyour
father'spropertyforherlifetime.Outsidethat,heleftthismuchsmallercapital
ofwhich,asalsoofhermoney,mypartnerandIaretrustees.Thesumheleft
youwasthirtythousandpounds.Itisnowratheroverfortythousandpounds,
sincewehavechangedtheinvestmentsfromtimetotime,andalways,Iamglad
tosay,withsatisfactoryresults.Thevalueofherpropertyhasgoneupalsoina
correspondingdegree.That,however,doesnotconcernyou.Butsinceyouare
nowtwenty-two,andyourmarriagewouldputthewholeofthissmallersuminto
yourhands,woulditnotbewellforyoutolookthroughourbooks,toseefor
yourselftheaccountwerenderofourstewardship?"
Morrislaughed.
"Butforwhatreason?"heasked."Youtellmethatmyportionhasincreasedin
valuebytenthousandpounds.Iamdelightedtohearit.AndIthankyouvery
much.Andasfor—"
Hebrokeoffshort,andMr.Tayntonletaperceptiblepausefollowbeforehe

interrupted.
"Asforthepossibilityofyourmarrying?"hesuggested.
Morrisgavehimaquick,eager,glance.


"Yes,Ithinkthereisthatpossibility,"hesaid."Ihope—Ihopeitisnotfar
distant."
"Mydearboy—"saidthelawyer.
"Ah,notaword.Idon'tknow—"
Morrispushedhischairbackquickly,andstoodup—histallslimfigureoutlined
againstthesoberredofthedining-roomwall.Aplumeofblackhairhadescaped
fromhiswell-brushedheadandhungoverhisforehead,andhissun-tannedvivid
facelookedextraordinarilyhandsome.Hismother'sclear-cutenergeticfeatures
werethere,withtheglowandbuoyancyofyouthkindlingthem.Violentvitality
washisalso;hiswasthehotbloodthatcoulddoanydeedwhenthelife-instinct
commandedit.Helookedlikeoneofthosewhocouldgivetheirbodytobe
burnedinthepursuitofanidea,orcouldaseasilysteal,orkill,providedonly
thedeedwasvitallydoneintheheatofhisblood.Violencewasclearlyhismode
oflife:themotorhadtogosixtymilesanhour;hemightbeoneofthosewho
bathedintheSerpentineinmid-winter;hewouldclearlydanceallnight,andride
allday,andgoontillhedroppedinthepursuitofwhathecaredfor.Mr.
Taynton,lookingathimashestoodsmilingthere,inhissplendidhealthand
vigourfeltallthis.Hefelt,too,thatifMorrisintendedtobemarriedto-morrow
morning,matrimonywouldprobablytakeplace.
ButMorris'spause,afterhepushedhischairbackandstoodup,wasonly
momentary.
"GoodGod,yes;I'minlove,"hesaid."Andsheprobablythinksmeastupid
barbarian,wholikesonlytodrivegolfballsandmotorcars.She—oh,it's
hopeless.Shewouldhaveletmecomeovertoseethemto-morrowotherwise."
Hepausedagain.

"AndnowI'vegiventhewholeshowaway,"hesaid.
Mr.Tayntonmadeacomfortablesortofnoise.Itwascompoundedoflaughter,
sympathy,andcomprehension.
"Yougaveitawaylongago,mydearMorris,"hesaid.
"Youhadguessed?"askedMorris,sittingdownagainwiththesamequickness


andviolenceofmovement,andputtingbothhiselbowsonthetable.
"No,mydearboy,youhadtoldme,asyouhavetoldeverybody,without
mentioningit.AndImostheartilycongratulateyou.Ineversawamore
delightfulgirl.Professionallyalso,Ifeelboundtoaddthatitseemstomeamost
properalliance—heirsshouldalwaysmarryheiresses.It"—Mr.Tayntondrank
offtherestofhisport—"itkeepspropertiestogether."
HotbloodagaindictatedtoMorris:itseemeddreadfultohimthatanythoughtof
moneyorofpropertycouldbementionedinthesamebreathasthatwhichhe
longedfor.Heroseagainasabruptlyandviolentlyashehadsatdown.
"Well,let'splaybilliards,"hesaid."I—Idon'tthinkyouunderstandabit.You
can't,infact."
Mr.Tayntonstrokedthetableclothforamomentwithaplumpwhiteforefinger.
"Crabbedageandyouth,"heremarked."Butcrabbedagemakesanappealto
youth,ifyouthwillkindlycalltomindwhatcrabbedagereferredtosomefive
minutesago.Inotherwords,willyou,orwillyounot,Morris,spendaverydry
threehoursatmyoffice,lookingintotheaccountofmystewardship?Therewas
thirtythousandpounds,andtherenowis—orshouldwesay'are'—forty.Itwill
takeyounotlessthantwohours,andnotmorethanthree.Butsincemy
stewardshipmaycometoanend,asIsaid,anyday,Ishould,notformyown
sake,butforyours,wishyoutoseewhatwehavedoneforyou,and—Iownthis
wouldbeacertainprivategratificationtome—tolearnthatyouthoughtthatthe
trustyourdearfatherreposedinuswasnotmisplaced."
TherewassomethingaboutthesesimplewordswhichtouchedMorris.Forthe

momenthebecamealmostbusinesslike.Mr.Tayntonhadbeen,asheknew,a
friendofhisfather's,and,ashehadsaid,hehadbeenstewardofhisownaffairs
fortwentyyears.Butthatreflectionbanishedthebusinesslikeview.
"Oh,buttwohoursisafearfultime,"hesaid."Youhavetoldmethefacts,and
theyentirelysatisfyme.AndIwanttobeoutalldayto-morrow,asIamonly
heretillthedayafter.ButIshallbedownagainnextweek.Letusgointoitall
then.Notthatthereistheslightestuseingoingintoanything.Andwhen,Mr.
Taynton,Ibecomestewardofmyownaffairs,youmaybequitecertainthatI
shallbegyoutocontinuelookingafterthem.Whyyougainedmetenthousand
poundsinthesetwentyyears—Iwonderwhattherewouldhavebeentomy


creditnowifIhadlookedafterthingsmyself.ButsinceweareonthesubjectI
shouldlikejustthisoncetoassureyouofmygreatgratitudetoyou,forallyou
havedone.AndIaskyou,ifyouwill,tolookaftermyaffairsinthefuturewith
thesamecompletenessasyouhavealwaysdone.Myfather'swilldoesnot
preventthat,doesit?"
Mr.Tayntonlookedattheyoungfellowwithaffection.
"DearMorris,"hesaidgaily,"welawyersandsolicitorsarealwayssupposedto
besharks,butpersonallyIamnotsuchasharkasthat.AreyouawarethatIam
paid£200ayearformystewardship,whichyouareentitledtoassumefor
yourselfonyourmarriage,thoughofcourseitscontinuanceinmyhandsisnot
forbiddeninyourfather'swill?Youarequitecompetenttolookafteryouraffairs
yourself;itisridiculousforyoutocontinuetopaymethissum.ButIthankyou
fromthebottomofmyheartforyourconfidenceinme."
AverycloseobservermighthaveseenthatbehindMr.Taynton'skindgayeyes
therewassittingapersonality,sotospeak,that,ashismouthframedthese
words,waswatchingMorrisrathernarrowlyandanxiously.Butthemoment
Morrisspokethissilentsecretwatcherpoppedbackagainoutofsight.
"WellthenIaskyouasapersonalfavour,"saidhe,"tocontinuebeingmy

steward.Why,it'sgoodbusinessforme,isn'tit?Intwentyyearsyoumakeme
tenthousandpounds,andIonlypayyou£200ayearforit.Pleasebekind,Mr.
Taynton,andcontinuemakingmerich.Oh,I'majollyhard-headedchapreally;I
knowthatitistomyadvantage."
Mr.Tayntonconsideredthisamoment,playingwithhiswineglass.Thenhe
lookedupquickly.
"Yes,Morris,Iwillwithpleasuredoasyouaskme,"hesaid.
"Rightoh.Thanksawfully.Docomeandplaybilliards."
Morriswasinamazingluckthatnight,andif,ashesaid,hehadbeenplayinga
lotlately,theadvantageofhispracticewasseenchieflyinthehideouscertainty
ofhisflukes,andthegame(thoughhereceivedtwenty-five)leftMr.Taynton
halfacrownthepoorer.Thenthewinnerwhirledhisguestupstairsagaintotalk
tohismotherwhilehehimselfwentroundtothestablestoassurehimselfofthe
well-beingofthebelovedmotor.Martinhadalreadyvaletedit,afteritsrun,and


wasjustlockingupwhenMorrisarrived.
Morrisgavehisordersfornextdayafteraquiteunnecessaryexaminationinto
theinternaleconomyofthebeloved,andwasjustgoingbacktothehouse,when
hepaused,rememberingsomething.
"OhMartin,"hesaid,"whileIamhere,Iwantyoutohelpinthehouse,you
knowatdinnerandsoon,justasyoudidto-night.Andwhenthereareguestsof
minehereIwantyoutolookafterthem.Forinstance,whenMr.Tayntongoes
tonightyouwillbetheretogivehimhishatandcoat.You'llhaveratheralotto
do,I'mafraid."
Morrisfinishedhiscigaretteandwentbacktothedrawing-roomwhereMr.
Tayntonwasalreadyengagedinthestaidexcitementsofbackgammonwithhis
mother.Thatgameover,Morristookhisplace,andbeforelongthelawyerrose
togo.
"NowIabsolutelyrefusetoletyouinterruptyourgame,"hesaid."Ihavefound

mywayoutofthishouseoftenenough,Ishouldthink.Goodnight,Mrs.
Assheton.GoodnightMorris;don'tbreakyourneckmydearboy,intryingto
breakrecords."
Morrishardlyattendedtothis,forthegamewascritical.Hejustrangthebell,
saidgoodnight,andhadthrownagainbeforethedoorhadclosedbehindMr.
Taynton.Below,inanswertothebell,wasstandinghisservant.
Mr.Tayntonlookedathimagainwithsomeattention,andthenglancedroundto
seeifthediscreetparlour-maidswereabout.
"SoyouarecalledMartinnow,"heobservedgently.
"Yes,sir."
"Irecognisedyouatonce."
Therewasashortpause.
"AreyougoingtotellMr.Morris,sir?"heasked.
"ThatIhadtodismissyoutwoyearsagofortheft?"saidMr.Tayntonquietly.


"No,notifyoubehaveyourself."
Mr.Tayntonlookedathimagainkindlyandsighed.
"No,letbygonesbebygones,"hesaid."Youwillfindyoursecretissafeenough.
And,Martin,Ihopeyouhavereallyturnedoveranewleaf,andareliving
honestlynow.Thatisso,mylad?ThankGod;thankGod.Myumbrella?Thanks.
Goodnight.Nocab:Iwillwalk."


CHAPTERII
Mr.Tayntonlivedinasquare,comfortablehouseinMontpellierRoad,andthus,
whenheleftMrs.Assheton'stherewassometwomilesofpavementandsea
frontbetweenhimandhome.Butthenightwasofwonderfulbeauty,anightof
midJune,warmenoughtomakethemostcautioussecureofchill,andatthe
sametimejustmadecrispwithalittlebreezethatbleworratherwhispered

landwardfromoverthefull-tideofthesleepingsea.Highupintheheavens
swungagloriousmoon,whichcastitspathofwhiteenchantedlightoverthe
ripples,andseemedtodrawtheheartevenasitdrewtheeyesheavenward.Mr.
Tayntoncertainly,ashesteppedoutbeneaththestars,withthesealyingbelow
him,felt,inhisdelicateandsensitivenature,thecharmofthehour,andbeinga
goodifnotabriskwalker,hedeterminedtogohomeonfoot.Andhestepped
westwardverycontentedly.
Theevening,itwouldappear,hadmuchpleasedhim—foritwaslongbeforehis
smileofretrospectivepleasurefadedfromhispleasantmobileface.Morris's
trustandconfidenceinhimhadbeenextraordinarilypleasanttohim:andmodest
andunassumingashewas,hecouldnothelpasecretgratificationatthethought.
WhatahandsomefellowMorriswastoo,howgay,howattractive!Hehadhis
father'sdarkcolouring,andtallfigure,butmuchofhismother'sgraceandcharm
hadgonetothemodellingofthatthinsensitivemouthandthelongovalofhis
face.Yettherewasmoreofthefatherthere,thefather'sintense,almostviolent,
vitalitywassomehowmorecharacteristicoftheessentialMorristhanfaceor
feature.
Whatahappythingitwastoo—herethesmileofpleasureilluminatedMr.
Taynton'sfaceagain—thattheboywhomhehaddismissedtwoyearsbeforefor
somepettypilferinginhisownhouse,shouldhaveturnedoutsuchapromising
ladandshouldhavefoundhiswaytosopleasantaberthasthatoffactotumto
Morris.Kindlyandcharitableallthroughandevereagertodrawoutthegoodin
everybodyandforgivethebad,Mr.Tayntonhadoftenoccasiontodeplorethe


hardnessanduncharityofaworldwhichremembersyouthfulerrorsandhangs
them,likeamill-stone,roundtheneckoftheoffender,anditwarmedhisheart
andkindledhissmiletothinkofonecaseatanyratewhereayouthful
misdemeanourwasliveddownandforgotten.Atthetimeherememberedbeing
indoubtwhetherheshouldnotgivetheoffenderuptojustice,forthepilfering,

pettythoughithadbeen,hadbeensomewhatpersistent,buthehadtakenthe
moremercifulcourse,andmerelydismissedtheboy.Hehadbeenintwominds
aboutitbefore,wonderingwhetheritwouldnotbebettertoletMartinhavea
sharplesson,butto-nighthewasthankfulthathehadnotdoneso.Themercyhe
hadshownhadcomebacktoblesshimalso;hefeltaglowofthankfulnessthat
thesubjectofhisclemencyhadturnedoutsowell.Punishmentoftenhardensthe
criminal,wasoneofhissettledconvictions.ButMorris—againhisthoughts
wentbacktoMorris,whowasalreadystandingonthevergeofmanhood,onthe
verge,too,hemadenodoubtofmarriedlifeanditsjoysandresponsibilities.Mr.
Tayntonwashimselfabachelor,andthethoughtgavehimnotamomentof
jealousy,butamomentofvoidthatachedalittleatthethoughtofthecommon
humanblisswhichhehadhimselfmissed.Howcharming,too,wasthegirl
MadgeTempleton,whomhehadmet,notforthefirsttime,thatevening.He
himselfhadguessedhowthingsstoodbetweenthetwobeforeMorrishad
confidedinhim,anditpleasedhimthathisintuitionwasconfirmed.Whatapity,
however,thatthetwowerenotgoingtomeetnextday,thatshewasoutwithher
motherandwouldnotgetbacktilllate.Itwouldhavebeenacoolingthoughtin
thehotofficehoursofto-morrowtopicturethemsittingtogetherinthegardenat
Falmer,orunderoneofthecooldeep-foliagedoaksinthepark.
Thensuddenlyhisfacechanged,thesmilefaded,butcamebacknextinstantand
broadenedwithalaugh.Andthemanwholaughswhenheisbyhimselfmay
certainlybesupposedtohavestrongcauseforamusement.
Mr.TayntonhadcomebythistimetotheWestPier,andahundredyardsfarther
wouldbringhimtoMontpellierRoad.Butitwasyetearly,ashesaw(sobright
wasthemoonlight)whenheconsultedhiswatch,andheretracedhisstepssome
fiftyyards,andeventuallyrangatthedoorofabighouseofflatsfacingthesea,
wherehispartner,whoforthemostpart,lookedaftertheLondonbranchoftheir
business,hadhispied-à-terre.ForthefirmofTayntonandMillswasoneof
thoserespectableandsolidbusinessesthat,beginninginthecountry,had
eventuallybeenextendedtotown,andsofarfromitshavingitsheadquartersin

townanditsbranchinBrighton,haditsheadquartershereanditsbranchinthe
metropolis.Mr.GodfreyMills,sohelearnedatthedoorhaddinedalone,and


wasin,andwithoutfurtherdelayMr.Tayntonwascarriedaloftinthegaudy
bird-cageofthelift,feelingsurethathispartnerwouldseehim.
Theflatintowhichhewasusheredwithasmileofwelcomefromthemanwho
openedthedoorwasfurnishedwithasortofgrossopulencethatneverfailedto
jaronMr.Taynton'sexquisitetasteandcultivatedmind.Pictures,chairs,sofas,
thepatternsofthecarpet,andtheheavygildingofthecorniceswereall
sensuous,asortoffrangipannitotheeye.Theapparentcontrast,however,
betweenthesethingsandtheirowner,wasasgreatasthatbetweenMr.Taynton
andhispartner,forMr.GodfreyMillswasathin,spare,darklittleman,briskin
movement,withalookinhiseyethatbetokenedawatchfulnessandvigilanceof
themostalertorder.Butusefulassuchagiftundoubtedlyis,itwasgiventoMr.
GodfreyMillsperhapsashadetooobviously.Itwouldbeunlikelythatthe
stupidestorshallowestpersonwouldgivehimselfawaywhentalkingtohim,for
itwassoclearthathewasalwaysonthewatchforadmissionorinformationthat
mightbeusefultohim.Hehad,however,thecharmthataveryactiveandvivid
mindalwayspossesses,andthoughsmallandslight,hewasafigurethatwould
benoticedanywhere,sokeenandwide-awakewashisface.BesidehimMr.
Tayntonlookedlikeabenevolentcountryclergyman,moredistinguishedfor
amiablequalitiesoftheheart,thanintellectualqualitiesofthehead.Yetthose—
therewerenotmanyofthem—whoindealingswiththelatterhadtriedto
conducttheirbusinessontheseassumptions,hadinvariablyfounditnecessaryto
reconsidertheirfirstimpressionofhim.Hispartner,however,wasalways
consciousofalittleimpatienceintalkingtohim;Taynton,hewouldhave
allowed,didnotlackfinebusinessqualities,buthewasalittlewantingin
quickness.
Mills'swelcomeofhimwasabrupt.

"Pleasedtoseeyou,"hesaid."Cigar,drink?Sitdown,won'tyou?
Whatisit?"
"Idroppedinforachatonmywayhome,"saidMr.Taynton."Ihavebeendining
withMrs.Assheton.Amostpleasantevening.Whatafinedelicatefaceshehas."
Millsbitofftheendofacigar.
"Itakeitthatyoudidnotcomeinmerelytodiscussthedelicacyof
Mrs.Assheton'sface,"hesaid.


"No,no,dearfellow;youarerighttorecallme.Itootakeit—Itakeitthatyou
havefoundtimetogoovertoFalmeryesterday.HowdidyoufindSirRichard?"
"Ifoundhimwell.Ihadalongtalkwithhim."
"Andyoumanagedtoconveysomethingofthoseverypainfulfactswhichyou
feltitwasyourdutytobringtohisnotice?"askedMr.Taynton.
GodfreyMillslaughed.
"Isay,Taynton,isitreallyworthwhilekeepingituplikethis?"heasked."It
reallysavessomuchtroubletotalkstraight,asIproposetodo.Isawhim,asI
said,andIreallymanagedremarkablywell.Ihadtheseadmissionswrungfrom
me,Iassureyouitisnolessthanthat,underpromiseofthemostabsolute
secrecy.ItoldhimyoungAsshetonwasleadinganidle,extravagant,and
dissipatedlife.IsaidIhadseenhimthreenightsagoinPiccadilly,notquite
sober,incompanywiththeclassofpersontowhomonedoesnotreferinpolite
society.Willthatdo?"
"Ah,Icaneasilyimaginehowpainfulyoumusthavefound—"began
Taynton.
Buthispartnerinterrupted.
"Itwasratherpainful;youhavespokenatruewordinjest.Ifeltabrute,Itell
you.But,asIpointedouttoyou,somethingofthesortwasnecessary."
Mr.Tayntonsuddenlydroppedhisslightlyclericalmanner.
"Youhavedoneexcellently,mydearfriend,"hesaid."Andasyoupointedoutto

me,itwasindeednecessarytodosomethingofthesort.Ithinkbynow,your
revelationshavealreadybeguntotakeeffect.Yes,IthinkIwilltakealittle
brandyandsoda.Thankyouverymuch."
Hegotupwithgreaterbrisknessthanhehadhithertoshown.
"Andyouarenonetoosoon,"hesaid."Morris,poorMorris,suchahandsome
fellow,confidedtomethiseveningthathewasinlovewithMissTempleton.He
isverymuchinearnest."


"Andwhydoyouthinkmyinterviewhasmetwithsomesuccess?"askedMills.
"Well,itisonlyaconjecture,butwhenMorrisaskedifhemightcallanytimetomorrow,MissTempleton(whowasalsodiningwithMrs.Assheton)saidthatshe
andhermotherwouldbeoutalldayandnotgethometilllate.Itdoesnotstrike
measbeingtoofancifultoseeinthatsomelittletraceperhapsofyour
handiwork."
"Yes,thatlookslikeme,"saidMillsshortly.
Mr.Tayntontookameditativesipathisbrandyandsoda.
"Myeveningalsohasnotbeenaltogetherwasted,"hesaid."Iplayedwhatfor
mewasaboldstroke,forasyouknow,mydearfellow,Iprefertoleavetoyour
nimbleandpenetratingmindthingsthatwantdashandboldness.Butto-night,
yes,Iwaswarmedwiththatwonderfulportandwasbold."
"Whatdidyoudo?"askedMills.
"Well,Iasked,IalmostimploreddearMorristogivemetwoorthreehourstomorrowandgothroughallthebooks,andsatisfyhimselfeverythingisinorder,
andhisinvestmentswelllookedafter.Itoldhimalsothattheoriginal£30,000of
hishad,owingtojudiciousmanagement,become£40,000.Yousee,thatis
unfortunatelyathingpastprayingfor.Itissoindubitablyclearfromtheearlier
ledgers—"
"Buttheportmustindeedhavewarmedyou,"saidMillsquickly."Why,itwas
madness!Whatifhehadconsented?"
Mr.Tayntonsmiled.
"Ah,well,Iinmyslowsyntheticmannerhadmadeupmymindthatitwas

reallyquiteimpossiblethatheshouldconsenttogointothebooksandvouchers.
Tobeginwith,hehasanewmotorcar,andeveryhourspentawayfromthatcar
justnowistohismindanhourwasted.Also,Iknowhimwell.Iknewthathe
wouldneverconsenttospendseveralhoursoverledgers.Finally,evenifhehad,
thoughIknewfromwhatIknowofhimnotthathewouldnotbutthathecould
not,Icouldhave—Icouldhavemanagedsomething.Yousee,heknowsnothing
whateveraboutbusinessorinvestments."


Millsshookhishead.
"Butitwasdangerous,anyhow,"hesaid,"andIdon'tunderstandwhatobject
couldbeservedbyit.Itwasrunningariskwithnoprofitinview."
Thenforthefirsttimetheinherentstrengthofthequietnessoftheonemanas
opposedtotheobviousquicknessandcomprehensionoftheothercameinto
play.
"IthinkthatIdisagreewithyouthere,mydearfellow,"saidMr.Tayntonslowly,
"thoughwhenIhavetoldyouall,Ishallbeofcourse,asalways,delightedto
recognisethesuperiorityofyourjudgment,shouldyoudisagreewithme,and
convincemeofthecorrectnessofyourview.Ithashappened,Iknow,ahundred
timesbeforethatyouwithyourquickintuitiveperceptionshavebeenright."
Buthispartnerinterruptedhim.Hequiteagreedwiththesentiment,buthe
wantedtolearnwithouteventhedelaycausedbythesecomplimentaryremarks,
theupshotofTaynton'srashproposaltoMorris.
"WhatdidyoungAsshetonsay?"heasked.
"Well,mydearfellow,"saidTaynton,"thoughIhavereallynodoubtthatin
principleIdidarashthing,inactualpracticemystepwasjustified,because
Morrisabsolutelyrefusedtolookatthebooks.OfcourseIknowtheyoung
fellowwell:itarguesnoperspicuityonmyparttohaveforeseenthat.And,Iam
gladtosay,somethinginmywayofputtingit,somesincerityofmannerI
suppose,gaverisetoafreshmarkofconfidenceinusonhispart."

Mr.Tayntonclearedhisthroat;hisquietnessandcompleteabsenceofhurrywas
sotospeak,rapidlyoverhaulingthequick,nimblemindoftheother.
"Heaskedmeinfacttocontinuebeingstewardofhisaffairsinanyevent.
Shouldhemarryto-morrowIfeelnodoubtthathewouldnotspendacoupleof
minutesoverhisfinancialaffairs,unless,unless,asyouforesawmighthappen,
hehadneedofalargelumpsum.Inthatcase,mydearMills,youandIwould—
wouldfinditimpossibletoliveelsewherethanintheArgentineRepublic,were
wesofortunateastogetthere.But,asfarasthisgoesIonlysaythatthestepof
minewhichyoufelttobedangeroushasturnedoutmostauspiciously.He
beggedme,infact,tocontinueevenafterhecameofage,actingforhimatmy
presentrateofremuneration."


Mr.Millswaslisteningtothiswithsomeattention.Herehelaugheddryly.
"Thatiscapital,then,"hesaid."YouwererightandIwaswrong.God,Taynton,
it'syourmanneryouknow,there'ssomethingofthecountryparsonaboutyou
thatiswonderfullyconvincing.Youseemsincerewithoutbeingsanctimonious.
Why,ifIwastoaskyoungAsshetontolookintohisaffairsforhimself,he
wouldinstantlythinktherewassomethingwrong,andthatIwastryingbluff.
Butwhenyoudothesamething,thatsimpleandperfectlycorrectexplanation
neveroccurstohim."
"No,dearMorristrustsmeverycompletely,"saidTaynton."But,then,ifImay
continuemylittlereviewofthesituation,asitnowstands,youandyourtalk
withSirRichardhavevastlydecreasedthedangerofhismarrying.For,tobe
frank,Ishouldnotfeelatallsecureifthathappened.MissTempletonisan
heiressherself,andMorrismighteasilytakeitintohisheadtospendtenor
fifteenthousandpoundsinbuildingahouseorbuyinganestate,andthoughI
thinkIhaveguardedagainsthisrequiringanaccountofourstewardship,Ican't
preventhiswishingtodrawalargesumofmoney.Butyourbrilliantmanoeuvre
may,wehope,effectuallyputastoptothedangerofhismarryingMiss

Templeton,andsinceIamconvincedheisinlovewithher,why"—Mr.Taynton
puthisplumpfinger-tipstogetherandraisedhiskindeyestotheceiling—"why,
thechanceofhiswantingtomarryanybodyelseispostponedanyhow,till,tillhe
hasgotoverthisunfortunateattachment.Infact,mydearfellow,thereisno
longeranythingimmediatetofear,andIfeelsurethatbeforemanyweeksareup,
themisfortunesandillluckwhichforthelasttwoyearshavedoggeduswith
suchincrediblepersistencywillberepaired."
Millssaidnothingforthemomentbutsplashedhimselfoutaliberalallowance
ofbrandyintohisglass,andmixeditwithasomewhatmorecarefullymeasured
rationofsoda.Hewasessentiallyasoberman,butthatwaspartlyduetothefact
thathisheadwasasimpervioustoalcoholasteakistowater,anditwashishabit
toindulgeintwo,andthoseratherstiff,brandiesandsodasofanevening.He
foundthattheyassistedandclarifiedthought.
"Iwishtoheavenyouhadn'tfounditnecessarytoletyoungAsshetonknowthat
his£30,000hadincreasedto£40,000,"hesaid."That's£10,000moretoget
back."
"Ah,itwasjustthatwhichgavehim,sohethought,suchgoodcausefor


reposingcompleteconfidenceinme,"remarkedMr.Taynton."Butasyousay,it
is£10,000moretogetback,andIshouldnothavetoldhim,werenotcertain
ledgersofearlieryearssoextremely,extremelyunmistakableonthesubject."
"Butifheisnotgoingtolookatledgersatall—"beganMills.
"Ah,theconcealmentofthatsortofthingisoneoftheriskswhichitisnotworth
whiletotake,"saidtheother,droppingforamomentthedeferentialattitude.
Millswassilentagain.Then:
"HaveyouboughtthatoptioninBostonCoppers,"heasked.
"Yes;Iboughtto-day."
MillsglancedattheclockasMr.Tayntonrosetogo.
"Stillonlyaquartertotwelve,"hesaid."Ifyouhavetime,youmightgivemea

detailedstatement.Ihardlyknowwhatyouhavedone.Itwon'ttakeacoupleof
minutes."
Mr.Tayntonglancedattheclocklikewise,andthenputdownhishatagain.
"Icanjustsparethetime,"hesaid,"butImustgethomebytwelve;Ihave
unfortunatelycomeoutwithoutmylatchkey,andIdonotlikekeepingthe
servantsup."
Hepressedhisfingersoverhiseyesamomentandthenspoke.
*****
Tenminuteslaterhewasinthebird-cageoftheliftagain,andbytwelvehehad
beenadmittedintohisownhouse,apologisingmostamiablytohisservantfor
havingkepthimup.Therewereafewlettersforhimandheopenedandread
those,thenlithisbed-candleandwentupstairs,butinsteadofundressing,satfor
afullquarterofanhourinhisarmchairthinking.Thenhespokesoftlyto
himself.
"IthinkdearMillsmeansmischiefinsomeway,"hesaid."Butreallyforthe
momentitpuzzlesmetoknowwhat.However,Ishallseetomorrow.Ah,I


wonderifIguess!"
Thenhewenttobed,butcontrarytocustomdidnotgettosleepforalongtime.
Butwhenhedidtherewasasmileonhislips;apatientcontentedsmile.


CHAPTERIII
Mr.Taynton'sstatementtohispartner,whichhadtakenhimsofewminutesto
give,wasofcourseconcernedonlywiththelatestfinancialoperationwhichhe
hadjustembarkedin,butforthesakeofthereaderitwillbenecessarytogoa
littlefurtherback,andgivequiteshortlythemainfeaturesofthesituationin
whichheandhispartnerfoundthemselvesplaced.
Brieflythen,justtwoyearsago,atthetimepeacewasdeclaredinSouthAfrica,

thetwopartnersofTayntonandMillshadsoldout£30,000ofMorrisAssheton's
securities,whichowingtotheirexcellentmanagementwasthenworth£40,000,
andseeingaquiteunrivalledopportunityofmakingtheirfortunes,hadbecome
heavypurchasersofSouthAfricanmines,fortheyreasonedthatwithpeaceonce
declareditwasabsolutelycertainthatpriceswouldgoup.But,asissometimes
thewaywithabsolutecertainties,theoppositehadhappenedandtheyhadgone
down.Theycuttheirloss,however,andproceededtobuyAmericanrails.Insix
monthstheyhadentirelyrepairedthedamage,andseeingfurtherunrivalled
opportunitiesfromtimetotime,inbuyingmotorcarshares,inrunningatheatre
andotherschemes,hadmanagedamonthagotoloseallthatwasleftofthe
£30,000.Being,therefore,alreadysodeeplycommitted,itwasmereprudence,
themereinstinctofself-preservationthathadledthemtosellouttheremaining
£10,000,andto-dayMr.TayntonhadboughtanoptioninBostonCopperwithit.
Themannerofanoptionisasfollows:
BostonCopperto-daywasquotedat£510S6d,andbypayingapremiumof
twelveshillingsandsixpencepershare,theywereentitledtobuyBostonCopper
sharesanytimewithinthenextthreemonthsatapriceof£63s.Supposing
therefore(asMr.Tayntononverygoodauthorityhadsupposed)thatBoston
Copper,arapidlyimprovingcompany,roseacoupleofpointswithinthenext
threemonths,andsostoodat£710S6d;hehadtherightofexercisinghisoption
andbuyingthemat£63Sthusmaking£17S6dpershare.Butahigherrisethan
thiswasconfidentlyexpected,andTaynton,thoughnotreallyofanover


sanguinedisposition,certainlyhopedtomakegoodthegreaterpartifnotallof
theirsomewhatlargedefalcations.Hehadboughtanoptionof20,000shares,the
optionofwhichcost(orwouldcostattheendofthosemonths)ratherover
£10,000.Inotherwords,themomentthatthesharesrosetoapricehigherthan
£63s,allfurtherappreciationwaspuregain.Iftheydidnotrisesohigh,he
wouldofcoursenotexercisetheoption,andsacrificethemoney.

Thatwascertainlyaveryunpleasantthingtocontemplate,butithadbeenmore
unpleasantwhen,sofarasheknew,Morriswasonthevergeofmatrimony,and
wouldthenstepintothemanagementofhisownaffairs.Butbadthoughitall
was,thesituationhadcertainlybeenimmenselyamelioratedthisevening,since
ontheonehandhispartnerhad,itwasnotunreasonabletohope,saidtoMadge's
fatherthingsaboutMorristhatmadehismarriagewithMadgeexceedingly
unlikely,whileontheotherhand,evenifithappened,hisaffairs,accordingto
hisownwish,wouldremaininMr.Taynton'shandswiththesamecompleteness
asheretofore.Itwould,ofcourse,benecessarytopayhimhisincome,and
thoughthiswouldbeagreatstrainonthefinancesofthetwopartners,itwas
manageable.Besides(Mr.Tayntonsincerelyhopedthatthiswouldnotbe
necessary)themoneywhichwasMrs.Assheton'sforherlifetimewasinhis
handsalso,soiftheworstcametotheworst—
Nowthecompositionandnatureoftheextraordinaryanimalcalledmanisso
unexpectedandunlikelythatanyanalysisofMr.Taynton'scharactermayseem
almostgrotesque.Itisafactneverthelessthathiswasanaturecapableofgreat
things,itisalsoafactthathehadlongagobeendeeplyandbitterlycontritefor
theoriginaldishonestyofusingthemoneyofhisclient.Butbyaidofthose
strangeperversitiesofnature,hehadbythistimehonestlyandsincerelygotto
regardalltheirsubsequentemploymentsofitmerelyaseffortsonhispartto
makerightanoriginalwrong.Hewantedtorepairhisfault,anditseemedtohim
thattocommititagainwastheonlymeansathisdisposalfordoingso.Astrain,
too,ofPuritanpietywasboundupintheconstitutionofhissoul,andinprivate
lifeheexercisedhighmorality,andwasalsokindandcharitable.Hebelongedto
guildsandsocietiesthathadastheirobjecttheimprovementandmoral
advancementofyoungmen.Hewasaliberalpatronofeducationalschemes,he
sangaferventandfruitytenorinthechoirofSt.Agnes,hewasaregular
communicant,hisnaturelookedtowardgood,andturneditseyesawayfrom
evil.Todohimjusticehewasnotahypocrite,though,ifallabouthimwere
known,andaplebiscitetaken,itisprobablethathewouldbeunanimously

condemned.Yettheuniversalopinionwouldbewrong:hewasnohypocrite,but