o understood, and from him gained comfort. You see, he _knew_
that something was lacking, but could not make up his mind to pay the
price of the remedy, and even the Great Physician, whilst He gave the
unwelcome prescription, pitied and loved him. The world called him a
lucky dog, and he called himself one--with a reservation. And he
wanted comfort; not the comfort which simply says, 'Buck-up, old man!'
but that which says, 'Brace-up, old man! If to sell all is the summum
bonum, go, see the broker now and have done with it.' I wonder if he
went eventually."

This was a new mood, and I glanced at the Cynic curiously. What had
become of his cynicism? He was speaking quietly, contemplatively, and
I felt sure there was meaning behind his words.

I said nothing, but Rose shook her head and muttered: "You speak in
parables."

"Let me give you a parable," he continued. "Once upon a time a certain
boy on leaving school left also a large number of marbles. These were
claimed by two of his companions, and one of the two took possession of
them. Then arose a great outcry on the part of him who would have
taken them if he could, and he dragged his fellow before a council of
their peers. The monitor was judge, and two sharp young fellows who
were good in debate and of ready tongue acted as counsel for the
claimant and his foe respectively.

"In the end judgment was given for the claimant, who carried off
triumphantly the spoils of battle. And this judgment was given, not
because the defendant had no right to the marbles, but because the lad
who championed his cause was not so glib of speech nor so ready in
argument as the fellow on the other side. Now it came to pass that the
lad who won the case for his friend discovered soon after, what he had
suspected all along--that the latter had no real claim to the marbles
at all, and that they had been taken unjustly from the lad to whom they
rightfully belonged. Yet the judgment of the court could not be upset.
What was he to do?"

"Nothing," replied Rose promptly.

"Why?" inquired the Cynic.

"It was the fortune of war," she answered; "the case was properly tried
by an impartial court, and the defendant should have taken care to
secure the services of the smarter advocate. It would be a lesson to
him for the future. The world would never get on if everyone worried
about things of that sort."

"And you?" he said, turning to me.

"Was there no chance of reversing