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The Little Minister, a novel by James Matthew Barrie |
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Chapter XIX - Circumstances Leading to the First Sermon in Approval of Women |
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_ A young man thinks that he alone of mortals is impervious to love, and so the discovery that he is in it suddenly alters his views of his own mechanism. It is thus not unlike a rap on the funny-bone. Did Gavin make this discovery when the Egyptian left him? Apparently he only came to the brink of it and stood blind. He had driven her from him for ever, and his sense of loss was so acute that his soul cried out for the cure rather than for the name of the malady. In time he would have realised what had happened, but time was "I thought you had gone away long ago," she said stiffly. "Otherwise," asked Gavin the dejected, "you would not have come "Certainly not." "I am very sorry. Had you waited another moment I should have been This was said in apology, but the wilful Egyptian chose to change "You have no right to blame me for disturbing you," she declared "I did not. I only--" "You could have been a mile away by this time. Nanny wanted more Babbie scrutinised the minister sharply as she made this "Nothing," Gavin admitted eagerly, "and I assure you--" Babbie should have been grateful to his denseness, but it merely "Say anything against me you choose," she told him. "Say it as She stopped to hear his response to that, and she looked so cold "I had no right," he said, dolefully, "to speak to you as I did." "You had not," answered the proud Egyptian. She was looking away "What business is it of mine?" asked Gavin, amazed at his late "None whatever." "And as for the ring--" Here he gave her an opportunity of allowing that his curiosity "The ring is yours," he said, "and why should you not wear it?" "Why, indeed?" "I am afraid I have a very bad temper." He paused for a contradiction, but she nodded her head in "And it is no wonder," he continued, "that you think me a--a "I'm sure it is not." "But, Babbie, I want you to know that I despise myself for my base This time Babbie did not reply. "That was all I had to say," concluded Gavin, "except that I hope "Good-bye," said the Egyptian, who was looking at the well. The minister's legs could not have heard him give the order to "I thought," said the Egyptian, after a moment, "that you said you "I was only--brushing my hat," Gavin answered with dignity. "You She bowed, and this time he did set off. "You can go if you like," she remarked now. He turned at this. "But you said--" he began, diffidently. "No, I did not," she answered, with indignation. He could see her face at last. "You--you are crying!" he exclaimed, in bewilderment. "Because you are so unfeeling," sobbed Babbie. "What have I said, what have I done?" cried Gavin, in an agony of "That is cruel." "What is?" "To say that." "What did I say?" "That you wished you had gone away." "But surely," the minister faltered, "you asked me to go." "How can you say so?" asked the gypsy, reproachfully. Gavin was distracted. "On my word," he said, earnestly, "I thought "Now you are unjust," said Babbie, hiding her face. "Again? To you?" "No, you stupid," she said, beaming on him in her most delightful She gave him both her hands impetuously, and he did not let them "I am so glad that you are reasonable at last. Men are so much "Perhaps we are," Gavin said, diplomatically. "Of course you are. Why, every one knows that. Well, I forgive She was pointing her finger at him like a schoolmistress, and "You were not to blame at all." "I like to hear you say that," explained the representative of the "No, no." "Yes, it was; but of course I could not say so until you had asked The representative of the less reasonable sex could not understand "I pretended that I did not want to make it up, but I did." "Did you?" asked Gavin, elated. "Yes, but nothing could have induced me to make the first advance. "Because I was so unreasonable?" asked Gavin, doubtfully. "Yes, and nasty. You admit you were nasty?" "Undoubtedly, I have an evil temper. It has brought me to shame "Oh, I don't know," said the Egyptian, charitably. "I like it. I "Did I bully you?" "I never knew such a bully. You quite frightened me." Gavin began to be less displeased with himself. "You are sure," inquired Babbie, "that you had no right to "Certain," answered Gavin. "Then I will tell you all about it," said Babbie, "for it is He looked eagerly at her, and she had become serious and sad. "I must tell you at the same time," she said, "who I am, and then- "Why should you tell me?" cried Gavin, his hand rising to stop "Because you have a right to know," she replied, now too much in "Don't speak in that way, Babbie, after you have forgiven me." "Did I hurt you? It was only because I know that you cannot trust "I can," said Gavin; but she shook her head, and so would he had "I had better tell you all," she said, with an effort. "It is my turn now to refuse to listen to you," exclaimed Gavin, It was boyish, but I am glad Gavin said it; and now Babbie admired "I admit that I would rather tell you nothing just now," she said, "Quite sure," said Gavin, bravely. "And by-and-by you will offer "Oh, don't let us think of the future," answered Babbie. "Let us This had been the Egyptian's philosophy always, but it was ill- "I want to make one confession, though," Babbie continued, almost She was very near him, and the tears had not yet dried on her "How mean that sounds! Oh, if I were a man I should wish to be "A minister may be all these things," said Gavin, breathlessly. "The man I could love," Babbie went on, not heeding him, almost "I do not." "He must be brave, no mere worker among others, but a leader of "All ministers are." "Who makes his influence felt." "Assuredly." "And takes the side of the weak against the strong, even though "Always my tendency." "A man who has a mind of his own, and having once made it up "Of his session." "Of the world. He must understand me." "I do." "And be my master." "It is his lawful position in the house." "He must not yield to my coaxing or tempers." "It would be weakness." "But compel me to do his bidding; yes, even thrash if--" "If you won't listen to reason. Babbie," cried Gavin, "I am that Here the inventory abruptly ended, and these two people found |