Part 124 (1/2)
”And as faithfulness is a word of large comprehension, it takes in also the use of money,” Mr. Dillwyn went on smiling; ”and so, Jessie, I think, you see, with my new views of things, that five hundred dollars is too much for a panel.”
”Or for a picture, I suppose!” said Mrs. Burrage, with dry concentrated expression.
”Depends. Decidedly too much for a picture not meant to be looked at?”
”Why shouldn't it be looked at?”
”People will not look much at what they cannot understand.”
”Why shouldn't they understand it?”
”It is a representation of giving up all for Christ, and of faithfulness unto death. What do the crowds who fill your second drawing-room know about such experience?”
Mrs. Burrage had put the foregoing questions dryly and shortly, examining her brother while he spoke, with intent, searching eyes. She had risen once as if to go, and now sat down again. Lois thought she even turned pale.
”Philip!--I never heard you talk so before. What do you mean?”
”Merely to let you know that I am a Christian. It is time.”
”You were always a Christian!”
”In name. Now it is reality.”
”You don't mean that you--_you!_--have become one of those fanatics?”
”What fanatics?”
”Those people who give up everything for religion, and are insane upon the subject.”
”You could not have described it better, than in the first half of your speech. I have given up everything for religion. That is, I have given myself and all I have to Christ and his service; and whatever I do henceforth, I do only in that character and in that interest. But as to sanity,”--he smiled again,--”I think I was never sane until now.”
Mrs. Burrage had risen for the second time, and her brother was now standing opposite to her; and if she had been proud of him a little while before, it was Lois's turn now. The calm, clear frankness and n.o.bleness of his face and bearing made her heart fairly swell with its gladness and admiration; but it filled the other woman's heart with a different feeling.
”And this is you, Philip Dillwyn!” she said bitterly. ”And I know you; what you have said you will stand to. Such a man as you! lost to the world!”
”Why lost to the world, Mrs. Burrage?” said Lois gently. She had risen too. The other lady faced her.
”Without more knowledge of what the world is, I could hardly explain to you,” she said, with cool rudeness; the sort of insolence that a fine lady can use upon occasion when it suits her. Philip's face flushed, but he would not make the rudeness more palpable by seeming to notice it.
”I hope it is the other way,” he said. ”I have been an idle man all my life hitherto, and have done nothing except for myself. n.o.body could be of less use to the world.”
”And what are you going to do now?”
”I cannot tell. I shall find out. I am going to study the question.”
”And is Miss Lothrop your teacher?”
The civil sneer was too apparent again, but it did not call up a flush this time. Philip was too angry. It was Lois that answered, and pleasantly,--
”She does not even wish to be that.”