He was with you the greater part of it?'
'He was. Without him, I should have lacked my right hand. He is an older
man than I; but nothing can conquer him.'
'The cheeriest, stoutest-hearted fellow in the world.'
'He has a right to be. He has a right to he. A better creature never
lived. He reaps what he has sown--no more.'
'It is not all men,' said Edward, after a moment's hesitation, 'who have
the happiness to do that.'
'More than you imagine,' returned Mr Haredale. 'We note the harvest more
than the seed-time. You do so in me.'
In truth his pale and haggard face, and gloomy bearing, had so far
influenced the remark, that Edward was, for the moment, at a loss to
answer him.
'Tut, tut,' said Mr Haredale, ''twas not very difficult to read a
thought so natural. But you are mistaken nevertheless. I have had my
share of sorrows--more than the common lot, perhaps, but I have borne
them ill. I have broken where I should have bent; and have mused and
brooded, when my spirit should have mixed with all God's great creation.
The men who learn endurance, are they who call the whole world, brother.
I have turned FROM the world, and I pay the penalty.'
Edward would have interposed, but he went on without giving him time.
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