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hardly think there can be any more.”
    â€œAnyhow we will not find it out,” said Simon.
    â€œAnd I was confused by their not talking about my debts. I did not think of other things being in their thoughts. It might almost seem that my being in debt did not matter.”
    â€œOr that you did not,” said Simon, laughing. “So they did not mention them?”
    â€œWell, they heard me outside the door and guessed I thought they would be doing so. And they were not, which was humbling for me. I could rise above that, but they knew it was humbling; and from that I turn my eyes.”
    â€œYou might have got more into debt, if you had known.”
    â€œOr I might not have done so at all. I did not know it was not a serious thing.”
    â€œWell, it is not, compared to Father’s health. They must think first of that.”
    â€œThat will do, Simon. I am brought low.”
    â€œIt is not a good prospect for either.”
    â€œI wish it did not bring out the best in them. The best in people causes me such discomfort. And I hardlythink it does much for anyone. It is difficult to see what good it is.”
    â€œI daresay you would not mind it in yourself.”
    â€œThere is none in me,” said Walter. “When I tried to find some to correspond with theirs, I found nothing but natural, human feelings.”
    â€œPerhaps you are none the worse for that.”
    â€œYes, I am much worse.”
    â€œI suppose our friendship is an echo of theirs to them. And they hope it will serve us as well.”
    â€œIt would have been no good for you to listen. You may be more like them than they know.”
    â€œThey certainly do not know,” said Simon, laughing.
    â€œOught we to promise faithfulness, as Uncle did?”
    â€œI promise it,” said Simon.
    â€œSo do I. So now we are equal to them, though they do not suspect it. Perhaps it adds to us to be a little misunderstood.”
    â€œIt is a pity they don’t know they are adding to us, when they would think it so desirable.”
    â€œSimon, I did like the serious note underlying your promise. Perhaps we are more than equal to them.”
    â€œTo your father and uncle?” said Julia, passing through the hall. “You can only do your best to reach their level.”
    â€œWe have reached it,” said Walter. “You were not in time to hear.”
    â€œWalter, our lenience about your debts does not mean we are not troubled by them.”
    â€œNo, Mater, of course it makes me regret them more.”
    â€œAnd you need not regard me as too simple a person.”
    â€œHow could I, when it is known that sons take after their mothers?”
    â€œYou will turn over a new leaf, like my good son,” said Julia, as she went her way.
    â€œYes, I hope you will do so, Walter,” said Sir Edwin, coming out of the dining-room. “We do not talk of your troubles——“
    â€œI know you do not, Uncle.”
    â€œAs things are, they will be your affair more than ours.”
    â€œI wish people would talk of Walter’s troubles,” said Simon. “When they don’t, they seem a recurring topic.”
    â€œOne more word, Walter. I need only say it once. You are old to listen at doors.”
    â€œI don’t think I am old enough, Uncle. For contact with the depths of life.”
    â€œNeither is anyone,” said Hamish. “I try to forget I am involved in them. You must do the same.”
    â€œI think they have done so,” said Sir Edwin. “They must expect us sometimes to remember.”
    Walter looked after the older men.
    â€œIt is terrible to meet selfless courage and try to be worthy of such a father. And in a way it is easier for him. He only has to feel that his sons are not equal to him. And there may be a shred of comfort there.”
    â€œI don’t think we are less intelligent than he is.”
    â€œSimon, pride of intellect is not in