Part 14 (1/2)
”You teach them these by reason alone?” said Holmes, gravely.
”Well,--of course,--that is the true theory; reason is the only yoke that should be laid upon a free-born soul; but I--I find it necessary to have them whipped, Mr. Holmes.”
Holmes stooped suddenly to pat Tiger, hiding a furtive smile. The old man went on, anxiously,--
”Old Mr. Howth says that is the end of all self-governments: from anarchy to despotism, he says. Brute force must come in. Old people are apt to be set in their ways, you know. Honestly, we do not find unlimited freedom answer in the House. I hope much from a woman's a.s.sistance: I have destined her for this work always: she has great latent power of sympathy and endurance, such as can bring the Christian teaching home to these wretches.”
”The Christian?” said Holmes.
”Well, yes. I am not a believer myself, you know; but I find that it takes hold of these people more vitally than more abstract faiths: I suppose because of the humanity of Jesus. In Utopia, of course, we shall live from scientific principles; but they do not answer in the House.”
”Who is the woman?” asked Holmes, carelessly.
The other watched him keenly.
”She is coming for five years. Margret Howth.”
He patted the dog with the same hard, unmoved touch.
”It is a religious duty with her. Besides, she must do something.
They have been almost starving since the mill was burnt.”
Holmes's face was bent; he could not see it. When he looked up, Knowles thought it more rigid, immovable than before.
When Knowles was going away, Holmes said to him,--
”When does Margret Howth go into that devils' den?”
”The House? On New-Year's.” The scorn in him was too savage to be silent. ”It is the best time to begin a new life. Yourself, now, you will have fulfilled your design by that time,--of marriage?”
Holmes was leaning on the mantel-shelf; his very lips were pale.
”Yes, I shall, I shall,”--in his low, hard tone.
Some sudden dream of warmth and beauty flashed before his gray eyes, lighting them as Knowles never had seen before.
”Miss Herne is beautiful,--let me congratulate you, in Western fas.h.i.+on.”
The old man did not hide his sneer.
Holmes bowed.
”I thank you, for her.”
Lois held the candle to light the Doctor out of the long pa.s.sages.
”Yoh hev n't seen Barney out 't Mr. Howth's, Doctor? He's ther' now.”
”No. When shall you have done waiting on this--man, Lois? G.o.d help you, child!”
Lois's quick instinct answered,--