'Forgive me, Mr. Underwood, but I cannot think it is right to throw away his abilities.'
'You can allow that it is a less wrong than to leave the rest to debt or starvation.'
'I do trust; but I can do so better when I humble what is nothing but pride and vanity in me, after all. I was foolish enough about it at first, but I am quite content now that my boy should do his duty, without being curious as to where it is to be done.'
'You will tell me a schoolmaster's vanity is concerned; and I allow it is, for I looked to your sons to raise the reputation of the school; but perhaps it is only put off a little longer. Will you let me have Clement or Fulbert, on the terms I proposed for Felix?'
'No, Ryder; with many, many thanks, much feeling of your generous kindness--it cannot be.'
'You do not trust me.' This was said with as much indignation as could be shown to a man in Mr. Underwood's condition.
'No. Your very kindness would make the tone I regret in you more perilous. Do not think Felix ungrateful, Ryder; the desire is mine--and remember, it is that of a man who is dying, and who really loves and values you greatly. It is that the younger boys should, as soon as may be, go to schools where older systems prevail.'
Mr. Ryder was exceedingly mortified, and though he tried hard to conceal the full extent of his annoyance, he could not help saying, 'You know how I respect your motives; but let me say that I doubt your finding any place where the ideas you deprecate are not to be found. And--pardon me--may not the finding their progress obstructed by your scruples, the more indispose your sons to them?'
'I hope not,' said Mr. Underwood, calmly. 'I hope it may show them how strong the approach of death makes that faith--nay, rather assurance--with which your party are tampering.'
'You are not doing me justice, Mr. Underwood. You know that my faith and hope are at the core the same as your own. All our question is what outworks are untenable.' Again he spoke hotly, but Mr. Underwood's gentleness seemed to silence him.
'And that there should be any such question proves--alas!--the utter difference between our belief. Ryder, you are a young man, and as I believe and trust verily in earnest; and some day, I think, you will understand what faith is. Meantime, your uncertainties are doing more mischief than you understand--they pervade all your teaching more than you know. I dread what they may do to such as have not your moral sense to restrain them and bring them back, as I pray--I hope ever to pray--it may be with you. Thank you for all your kindness, actual and intended, to my boys.'