his virtues so outnumbered his
failings? He was certainly intolerant of any other opinions but his own;
but then so was Ferrers, whom Gordon worshipped on the other side of
idolatry. The pity was that Ferrers was intolerant of the things he
hated, while Buller was intolerant of the things he admired. It was all
very difficult. For the moment he did not feel ready to come to any
decision. He was too happy to trouble himself. "Sufficient for the day
were the day's evil things." Let the future reveal itself. He would see
how things turned out.

The concert came, with its _Valete_ of many memories. The school songs
were howled out; hands crossed and swung in _Auld Lang Syne_; the
_Carmen_ nearly brought the roof down. Lying back in bed, Gordon saw
little to regret in the school year that was just ending. Considering he
had been second in the batting averages, he thought they might have
given him his "Firsts"; but it did not matter very much. There was heaps
of time. Three years of fulfilment. Half his school life was over. The
threads of his youth had been unravelled at last; and in the coming year
they would be woven upon the wonderful loom of youth, with its bright
colours, its sunshine and its laughter. As the spring morn flings aside
its winter raiment, so he had put off the garb of his wandering
adolescence. He was prepared for whatever might come. But he was certain
that it was only happiness that was waiting for him. Three years of
success in which would be mingled the real poetry of existence. He would
not write his poetry on paper; he would write it, as Herod had written
it, in every action of his life. His innings was just about to begin.

BOOK IV: THE WEAVING

"Alba Ligustra cadunt; vaccinia nigra leguntur."

VERGIL.

"Life like an army I could hear advance
Halting at fewer, fewer intervals."

HAROLD MONRO.

CHAPTER I: THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS

It is good to dream; but "Man proposes: God in His time disposes," and
Gordon's dream was scattered at its dawn. Hardly a week later a great
nation forgot its greatness, and Europe trembled on the brink of war.
During those days of awful suspense, when it was uncertain whether
England would enter into the contest or not, Gordon could hardly keep
still with nervous excitement. When on the Sunday before Bank Holiday
J.L. Garvin poured out his warning to the Liberal Government, it seemed
for a moment as if they were going to back ou