MacLear, that I am putting an entirely
imaginary case, for the sake of argument only!"
"Eh, but I doobt--I doobt yer imaiginary case!" murmured the soutar to
himself, hardly daring even to think his thought clearly, lest somehow it
might reveal itself.
"In that case," he replied, "it seems to me the offender wad hae to cast
aboot him for ane fit to be trustit, and to him reveal the haill affair,
that he may get his help to see and do what's richt: it maks an unco differ
to luik at a thing throuw anither man's een, i' the supposed licht o'
anither man's conscience! The wrang dune may hae caused mair evil, that is,
mair injustice, nor the man himsel kens! And what's the reputation ye speak
o', or what's the eesefu'ness o' sic a man? Can it be worth onything? Isna
his hoose a lee? isna it biggit upo the san'? What kin' o' a usefulness
can that be that has hypocrisy for its fundation? Awa wi' 't! Lat him cry
oot to a' the warl', 'I'm a heepocrit! I'm a worm, and no man!' Lat him
cry oot to his makker, 'I'm a beast afore thee! Mak a man o' me'!"
As the soutar spoke, overcome by sympathy with the sinner, whom he could
not help feeling in bodily presence before him, the minister, who had risen
when he began to talk about the English clergy and confession, stood
hearing with a face pale as death.
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