"
"Nay, man, thou art unreasonable; to perform either well is beyond the
capacity of most humans, and I desire not to be blessed above my
betters. Then let my rash deeds and my prudent words both be teachers
unto thee. But if it be true that no woman is responsible for your grave
countenance this morning, then am I wasting words, and will return to
our muttons. What ails you?"
"I am belligerent."
"I see,--that means quarrelsome."
"And hopeless."
"Bad,--very! belligerent and hopeless! When you go into a fight always
expect to win; the thought is half the victory."
"Suppose you are an atom against the universe?" "Don't fight, succumb.
There's a proverb,--a wise one,--Napoleon's, 'God is on the side of the
strongest battalions.'"
"A lie,--exploded at Waterloo. There's another proverb, 'One on the side
of God is a majority.' How about that?"
"Transcendental humbug."
"A truth demonstrated at Wittenberg."
"Are you aching for the martyr's palm?"
"I am afraid not. On the whole, I think I'd rather enjoy life than
quarrel with it. But"--with a sudden blaze--"I feel to-day like fighting
the world."
"Hey, presto! what now, young'un?"
"I don't wonder you stare"--a little laugh. "I'm talking like a fool,
and, for aught I know, feeling like one, aching to fight, and knowing
that I might as well quarrel with the winds, or stab that water as it
flows by.
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