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Bates, Arlo, 1850-1918

"The Puritans"

Haven't I strength enough to
follow my own convictions?"
The hour for walking was four, and a few minutes after the clocks had
struck, Maurice and Philip started out. It was a dull and lowering
afternoon, and the narrow, street was already gloomy with shadows. Half
unconsciously Wynne found himself casting about in his mind for topics
of conversation which should be free from the personal element. Now
that the time for confidences had come, he shrank from words. He
reproached himself, and then half peevishly thought: "I seem nowadays
to do nothing but to find fault with myself for things that I can't
help feeling!"
"I am glad Father Frontford said what he did today," Ashe remarked
after they had walked in silence for a little. "It was just what I
needed. I've got so in the habit of following my own will since we have
been out in the world that I needed to be reminded that there is
something better."
Maurice felt a faint irritation that the talk was begun in precisely
the key he would most gladly have avoided, but honesty would not let
him be silent.
"I am afraid, Phil," he said, "that I'm not entirely in sympathy with
you.


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