"He and James used to quarrel frightfully in the holidays," said Hester.
"It was always the same reason, about playing fair. Poor James did not
know that games were matters of deadly importance, and that a rule was a
sacred thing. I wonder why it is that clergymen so often have the same
code of honor as women; quite a different code from that of the average
man."

"I think," said the Bishop, "it is owing to that difference of code that
women clash so hopelessly with men when they attempt to compete or work
with them. Women have not to begin with the _esprit de corps_ which the
most ordinary men possess. With what difficulty can one squeeze out of a
man any fact that is detrimental to his friend, or even to his
acquaintance, however obviously necessary it may be that the information
should be asked for and given. Yet I have known many good and earnest
and affectionate women, who lead unselfish lives, who will 'give away'
their best woman friend at the smallest provocation, or without any
provocation at all; will inform you, _a propos_ of nothing, that she was
jilted years ago, or that her husband married her for her money. The
causes of humiliation and disaster in a woman's life seem to have no
sacredness for her women friends. Yet if that same friend whom she has
run down is ill, the runner down will nurse her day and night with
absolutely selfless devotion."

"I have often been puzzled by that," said Rachel. "I seem to be always
making mistakes about women, and perhaps that is the reason. They show
themselves capable of some deep affection or some great self-sacrifice,
and I respect and admire them, and think they are like that all
through. And the day comes when they are not quite straightforward, or
are guilty of some petty meanness, which a man who is not fit to black
their boots would never stoop to."

Hester's eyes fixed on her friend.

"Do you tell them? Do you show them up to themselves," she asked, "or do
you leave them?"

"I do neither," said Rachel. "I treat them just the same as before."

"Then aren't you a hypocrite, too?"

Hester's small face was set like a flint.

"I think not," said Rachel, tranquilly, "any more than they are. The
good is there for certain, and the evil is there for certain. Why should
I take most notice of the evil, which is just the part which will be
rubbed out of them presently, while the good will remain?"

"I think Rachel is right," said the Bishop.

"I don't think sh