not what I should call fanatical. I call a man
fanatical when his enthusiasm is narrow and hoodwinked, so that he has
no sense of proportions, and becomes unjust and unsympathetic to men
who are out of his own track. Mordecai is an enthusiast; I should like
to keep that word for the highest order of minds--those who care
supremely for grand and general benefits to mankind. He is not a
strictly orthodox Jew, and is full of allowances for others; his
conformity in many things is an allowance for the condition of other
Jews. The people he lives with are as fond of him as possible, and they
can't in the least understand his ideas."

"Oh, well, I can live up to the level of the pawnbroker's mother, and
like him for what I see to be good in him; and for what I don't see the
merits of I will take your word. According to your definition, I
suppose one might be fanatical in worshipping common-sense; for my poor
husband used to say the world would be a poor place if there were
nothing but common-sense in it. However, Mirah's brother will have good
bedding--that I have taken care of; and I shall have this extra window
pasted up with paper to prevent draughts." (The conversation was taking
place in the destined lodging.) "It is a comfort to think that the
people of the house are no strangers to me--no hypocritical harpies.
And when the children know, we shall be able to make the rooms much
prettier."

"The next stage of the affair is to tell all to Mordecai, and get him
to move--which may be a more difficult business," said Deronda.

"And will you tell Mirah before I say anything to the children?" said
Mrs. Meyrick. But Deronda hesitated, and she went on in a tone of
persuasive deliberation--"No, I think not. Let me tell Hans and the
girls the evening before, and they will be away the next morning?"

"Yes, that will be best. But do justice to my account of Mordecai--or
Ezra, as I suppose Mirah will wish to call him: don't assist their
imagination by referring to Habakkuk Mucklewrath," said Deronda,
smiling--Mrs. Meyrick herself having used the comparison of the
Covenanters.

"Trust me, trust me," said the little mother. "I shall have to persuade
them so hard to be glad, that I shall convert myself. When I am
frightened I find it a good thing to have somebody to be angry with for
not being brave: it warms the blood."

Deronda might have been more argumentative or persuasive about the view
to be taken of Mirah's brother, if he