me.

    “Whatistheemploymentyouhadinview,Mr.Rivers?Ihopethisdelaywillnothaveincreasedthedifficultyofsegit.”

    “Oh,no;siisinemploymentwhichdependsonlyoogive,andyoutoaccept.”

    Heagainpaused:thereseemedarelucetotinue.Igrewimpatient:arestlessmovementortwo,andaneageraingglaenedonhisface,veyedthefeelingtohimaseffectuallyaswordscouldhavedone,andwithlesstrouble.

    “Youneedbeinnohurrytohear,”hesaid:“letmefranklytellyou,Ihavenothingeligibleorprofitabletosuggest.BeforeIexplain,recall,ifyouplease,mynotice,clearlygiven,thatifIhelpedyou,itmustbeastheblindmanwouldhelpthelame.Iampoor;forIfindthat,whenIhavepaidmyfather’sdebts,allthepatrimonyremainingtomewillbethiscrumblinggraherowofscathedfirsbehind,aoorishsoil,withtheyew-treesandholly-bushesinfront.Iamobscure:Riversisanoldofthethreesoledesdantsoftherace,twoearnthedependant’scrustamongstrangers,ahirdsidershimselfanalienfromhisnativetry—notonlyforlife,butih.Yes,anddeems,andisboundtodeem,himselfhohelot,andaspiresbutafterthedaywhenthecrossofseparationfromfleshlytiesshallbelaidonhisshoulders,aheHeadofthatchurch-militantofwhosehumblestmembersheisone,shallgivetheword,‘Rise,followMe!’”

    St.Johnsaidthesewordsashepronouncedhissermons,withaquiet,deepvoice;withanunflushedcheek,andacorusgradianceofglance.Heresumed—

    “AndsinceIammyselfpoorandobscure,Iofferyoubutaserviceofpovertyandobscurity.Youmayeventhinkitdegrading—forIseenowyourhabitshavebeenwhattheworldcallsrefined:yourtastesleantotheideal,andyoursocietyhasatleastbeenamo