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shilly…shally； first making up your mind that you won’t do a thing；
and then doing it after all？”
“Well；” said Adam； slowly； after a moment’s hesitation； “no。 I
don’t remember ever being see…saw in that way； when I’d made
my mind up； as you say； that a thing was wrong。 It takes the taste
out o’ my mouth for things； when I know I should have a heavy
conscience after ’em。 I’ve seen pretty clear； ever since I could cast
up a sum； as you can never do what’s wrong without breeding sin
and trouble more than you can ever see。 It’s like a bit o’ bad
workmanship—you never see th’ end o’ the mischief it’ll do。 And
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it’s a poor look…out to come into the world to make your fellow…
creatures worse off instead o’ better。 But there’s a difference
between the things folks call wrong。 I’m not for making a sin of
every little fool’s trick； or bit o’ nonsense anybody may be let into；
like some o’ them dissenters。 And a man may have two minds
whether it isn’t worthwhile to get a bruise or two for the sake of a
bit o’ fun。 But it isn’t my way to be see…saw about anything： I think
my fault lies th’ other way。 When I’ve said a thing； if it’s only to
myself； it’s hard for me to go back。”
“Yes； that’s just what I expected of you；” said Arthur。 “You’ve
got an iron will； as well as an iron arm。 But however strong a
man’s resolution may be； it costs him something to carry it out；
now and then。 We may determine not to gather any cherries and
keep our hands sturdily in our pockets； but we can’t prevent our
mouths from watering。”
“That’s true； sir； but there’s nothing like settling with ourselves
as there’s a deal we must do without i’ this life。 It’s no use looking
on life as if it was Treddles’on Fair； where folks only go to see
shows and get fairings。 If we do； we shall find it different。 But
where’s the use o’ me talking to you； sir？ You know better than I
do。”
“I’m not so sure of that； Adam。 You’ve had four or five years of
experience more than I’ve had； and I think your life has been a
better school to you than college has been to me。”
“Why； sir； you seem to think o’ college something like what
Bartle Massey does。 He says college mostly makes people like
bladders—just good for nothing but t’ hold the stuff as is poured
into ’em。 But he’s got a tongue like a sharp blade； Bartle has—it
never touches anything but it cuts。 Here’s the turning； sir。 I must
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bid you good…morning； as you’re going to the rectory。”
“Good…bye； Adam； good…bye。”
Arthur gave his horse to the groom at the rectory gate； and
walked along the gravel towards the door which opened on the
garden。 He knew that the rector always breakfasted in his study；
and the study lay on the left hand of this door； opposite the dining…
room。 It was a small low room； belonging to the old part of the
house—dark with the sombre covers of the books that lined the
walls； yet it looked very cheery this morning as Arthur reached the
open window。 For the morning sun fell aslant on the great glass
globe with gold fish in it； which stood on a scagliola pillar in front
of the ready…spread bachelor breakfast…table； and by the side of
this breakfast…table was a group which would have made any room
enticing。 In the crimson damask easy…chair sat Mr。 Irwine； with
that radiant freshness which he always had when he came from
his morning toilet； his finely formed plump white hand was
playing along Juno’s brown curly back； and close to Juno’s tail；
which was wagging with calm matronly pleasure； the two brown
pups were rolling over each other in an ecstatic duet of worrying
noises。 On a cushion a little removed sat Pug； with the air of a
maiden lady； who looked on these familiarities as animal
weaknesses； which she made as little show as possible of
observing。 On the table； at Mr。 Irwine’s elbow； lay the first volume
of the Foulis AEschylus； which Arthur knew well by sight； and the
silver coffee…pot； which Carroll was bringing in； sent forth a
fragrant steam which completed the delights of a bachelor
breakfast。
“Hallo； Arthur； that’s a good fellow！ You’re just in time；” said
Mr。 Irwine； as Arthur paused and stepped in over the low window…
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sill。 “Carroll； we shall want more coffee and eggs； and haven’t you
got some cold fowl for us to eat with that ham？ Why； this is like old
days； Arthur； you haven’t been to breakfast with me these five
years。”
“It was a tempting morning for a ride before breakfast；” said
Arthur； “and I used to like breakfasting with you so when I was
reading with you。 My grandfather is always a few degrees colder at
breakfast than at any other hour in the day。 I think his morning
bath doesn’t agree with him。”
Arthur was anxious not to imply that he came with any special
purpose。 He had no sooner found himself in Mr。 Irwine’s presence
than the confidence which he had thought quite easy before；
suddenly appeared the most difficult thing in the world to him；
and at the very moment of shaking hands he saw his purpose in
quite a new light。 How could he make Irwine understand his
position unless he told him those little scenes in the wood； and
how could he tell them without looking like a fool？ And then his
weakness in coming back from Gawaine’s； and doing the v