Prev | Current Page 308 | Next

Taylor, Bayard, 1825-1878

"Beauty and the Beast, and Tales of Home"

`You, now, have some
intellect,--I don't deny that,--but not so much, by a long shot, as
you think you have. Besides that, you're awfully selfish in your
opinions. You won't admit that anybody can be right who differs
from you. You've sponged on me for a long time; but I suppose I've
learned something from you, so we'll call it even. I think,
however, that what you call acting according to impulse is simply
an excuse to cover your own laziness.'
"`Gosh! that's it!' interrupted Perkins, jumping up; then,
recollecting himself, he sank down on the steps again, and shook
with a suppressed `Ho! ho! ho!'
"Hollins, however, drew himself up with an exasperated air.
"`Shelldrake,' said he, `I pity you. I always knew your ignorance,
but I thought you honest in your human character. I never
suspected you of envy and malice. However, the true Reformer must
expect to be misunderstood and misrepresented by meaner minds.
That love which I bear to all creatures teaches me to forgive you.
Without such love, all plans of progress must fail.


Pages:
296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320