I am content to be patient-—and, mother, you little know the good it
does me to think of her and think of you. It is well for us men that
all women are not like Janet."
"Yet if you took away our faith, what would there be to hinder us
from being like my poor Janet?"
"Heaven forbid that I should take away any one's honest faith; above
all, yours or Essie's."
"Except by showing that you think it just good enough for us."
"How can I help it, any more than I can help that Belforest was left
to Elvira? Wishes and belief are two different things."
"Would you help it if you could?" she earnestly asked."
He hesitated. "I might wish to satisfy you, mother, and other good
folks, but not to put myself in bondage to what has led blindfold to
half the dastardly and cruel acts on this earth, beautiful dream
though it be."
"Ah, my boy, it is my shame and grief that it is not a beautiful
reality to you."
"You were too wise to bore us. You have only fancied that since you
fell in with the Evelyns."
"Ah, if I had only bred you up in the same spirit as the Evelyns!"
"It would not have answered. We are of different stuff. And after
all, Janet and I are your only black sheep. Jock has his convictions
in a strong, practical working order, as real to him as ever his
drill and order-book were.
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