Part 34 (1/2)
”But, my dear friend, is there any sense to that reply? If you wished to become a surveyor, and I should a.s.sure you that you would need to acquire a knowledge of a certain branch of mathematics in order to perfect yourself, would you coldly reply to me that you knew nothing about that matter, and consider the question settled? You certainly would not, if you had any confidence in me.”
Pliny turned quickly toward him.
”You are wrong in that last position, at least,” he said, eagerly. ”If I have confidence in any living being, I have in you, and certainly I have reason to trust you. The way in which you cling to me, patiently and persistently, through all manner of sc.r.a.pes and discouragements, is perfectly marvelous! Now, tell me why you do it?”
Theodore hesitated a moment before he answered, gravely:
”If you want to know the first cause, Pliny, it is because I pledged you to my Redeemer, as a thank-offering for a gracious answer to my prayers, which he sent me, even when I was unbelieving; and the second is, because, dear friend, I love you, and _can not_ give you up.”
Pliny lay motionless and silent, and something very like a tear forced itself from between his closed eyelids.
”Pliny, will you utterly disappoint me?” said Theodore at last, breaking the silence. ”Won't you promise me to seek this Helper of mine?”
”How?”
”Pray for his aid; it will surely be given. You trust me, you say; well, I promise you of a certainty that he stands ready to receive you. Will you begin to-day, Pliny?”
”You will despise me if I tell you why I can not,” Pliny said, hesitatingly, after a long, and, on Theodore's part, an anxious silence.
”No, I shall not;” he answered, quickly.
”Tell me.”
”Well then, it is because, whatever else I may have been, I have never played the hypocrite, and I have sense enough left to know that the effort which you desire me to make, will not accord with an engagement which I have this very evening.”
”What is it?”
”To accompany Ben Phillips to the dance at the hotel on the turnpike, nine miles from here. I'm as sure that I will drink wine and brandy to-night, as I am that I lie here, in spite of all the helps in creation, or out of it. So what's the use?”
”Will you give me one _great_ proof of your friends.h.i.+p, Pliny?” was Theodore's eager question.
”I'll give you 'most anything quicker than I would any other mortal,”
answered Pliny, wearily.
”Then will you promise me not to go with Phillips this evening?”
”Ho!” said Pliny, affecting astonishment. ”I thought you were a tremendous man of your word?”
”There are circ.u.mstances under which I am not; if I promise to commit suicide, I am justified in saner moments in changing my mind.”
”I didn't exactly promise either,” said Pliny, thoughtfully. ”I had just brains enough left for that. Well, Mallery, I'll be hanged if I haven't a mind to promise you; I'm sure I've no desire to go, it's only that confounded way I have of blundering into engagements.”
”I'm waiting,” said Theodore, gravely.
”Well, I _won't_ go.”
”Thank you;” this time he smiled, and added:
”How about the other matter, Pliny?”
”That is different;” said Pliny, restlessly. ”Not so easily decided on.