Public-domain ebook
by Sir W. Robertson (William Robertson) Nicoll
Language: en477 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: Essays, Letters & Speeches·Journalism/Media/Writing
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #36311.
The opening · free to read
‘_Mr. Honeythunder_,’ he said, taking up the papers referred to: ‘_my being better or worse employed than I am at present is a matter of taste and opinion_. You might think me better employed in enrolling myself a member of your Society.’
‘_Ay_, indeed, sir!’ retorted Mr. Honeythunder, shaking his head in a threatening manner. ‘_It would have been better for you if you had done that long ago_!’
‘_I think otherwise_.’
‘_Or_,’ said Mr. Honeythunder, shaking his head again, ‘_I might think one of your profession better employed in devoting himself to the discovery and punishment of guilt than in leaving that duty to be undertaken by a layman_.’
‘_Well_, sir,’ returned the professional Philanthropist, getting up and thrusting his hands down into his trousers pockets, ‘_I don’t go about measuring people for caps_. _If people find I have __any about me that fit ’em_, they can put ’em on and wear ’em, if they like. That’s their look out: not mine.’
He took the fortifying hand from his shoulder, and kissed it. Mr. Crisparkle beamed at the books, but not so brightly as when he had entered.
‘_I don’t think so_,’ said the Minor Canon. ‘_There is duty to be done here_; and there are womanly feeling, sense, and courage wanted here.’
‘_I meant_,’ explained Neville, ‘_that the surroundings are so dull and unwomanly_, and that Helena can have no suitable friend or society here.’
‘_You have only to remember_,’ _said Mr. __Crisparkle_, ‘_that you are here yourself_, and that she has to draw you into the sunlight.’
They were silent for a little while, and then Mr. Crisparkle began anew.
‘_When we first spoke together_, Neville, you told me that your sister had risen out of the disadvantages of your past lives as superior to you as the tower of Cloisterham Cathedral is higher than the chimneys of Minor Canon Corner. Do you remember that?’
‘_Right well_!’
‘_I was inclined to think it at the time an enthusiastic flight_. No matter what I think it now. What I would emphasise is, that under the head of Pride your sister is a great and opportune example to you.’
‘_Under all heads that are included in the composition of a fine character_, she is.’
‘_Say so_; but take this one.’
Every day and hour of her life since Edwin Drood’s disappearance, she has faced malignity and folly—for you—as only a brave nature well directed can. So it will be with her to the end.
As Mr. Grewgious had to turn his eye up considerably before he could see the chambers, the phrase was to be taken figuratively and not literally.
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