all, the symbol of cowardice, of greed and vanity, the enemy
of truth and knowledge, the hot-bed on which we breed the miserable
half-men who cumber this earth, a pitiable myth----"

He had almost shouted. It was as though he had been addressing a vast
audience. His voice dropped now, and he walked on, peering about him
anxiously.

"Well--well, you are too young. There are things you can't understand.
But I shall teach you. No, there is no God, Stonehouse."

Robert was vaguely sorry. It was true that he had no clear idea of
God, and yet in some way He had been mixed up with the bands and music
and marching crowds that were always just round the corner. In his
expansive, genial moments, so rare towards the end. Dr. Stonehouse had
been known to say, "God bless you, Christine," and that had always
meant a few hours' peace. It seemed very sad.

"What are you going to be, Stonehouse?"

"A doctor, sir."

"Why?"

It was impossible to tell the whole truth--namely, that because Francey
had said she was to be a doctor he had said he would be one too, and a
better one at that. He gave half-measure.

"I want to be."

"Well, that's a good reason. It might be a great profession, but it
has its liars and tricksters like the rest. It is eaten up by little
men who wrap themselves in priestly garments and hide their ignorance
behind oracular silences. They play up to the superstitious weakness
of the mob, and replace one religion by another. They don't care what
beastly misery and evil they keep alive so long as they can pull off
their particular little stunts. You mustn't be like that, Stonehouse.
To be free--to be free--and strong enough to go one's way and trample
down the people who try to turn you aside; that is the only thing worth
while. Don't let them catch you, Stonehouse. You don't know how
cunning they can be--cunning and cruel."

He sighed again, and Robert did not try to answer. He had given up all
hope of understanding, and his tiredness was now such that he had to
set his teeth to keep the tears back. At the corner they waited in
silence watching the jolly, yellow-eyed 'bus rumble towards them down
the High Street.

"Your guardian will tell you what we have arranged," Mr. Ricardo said
abruptly and with a complete change of tone. "In a month you will read
better than any of them. As to the rest, you will have to compromise.
So long as you know what you are doing and don't humbug yourself,