"
"The realists will tell you that you should keep your eyes on the cans."
"I don't believe it," said Miss Emily, stoutly; "more people are made
good by the contemplation of the fine and beautiful than by the
knowledge of evil. Eve knew that punishment would follow the eating of
the apple. But she ate it. If I had a son I should tell him of the
strength of men, not of their weaknesses."
He nodded. "I see. And yet there is this about Hilda. She does not
deceive herself;--perhaps you do--and Jean."
"Perhaps it is Hilda who is deceived. All the people in the world are
not unlovely--all of them are not mercenary and deceitful and selfish."
Her cheeks were flushed.
"Nobody knows that better than a doctor, Emily. I am conscious that
Hilda draws out the worst in me--yet there is something about her that
makes me want to find things out, to explore life with her--"
He was smiling into the fire. Miss Emily girded herself and gave him a
shock. "The trouble with you is that you want the admiration of every
woman who comes your way. Most of your patients worship you--Jean puts
you on a pedestal--even I tell you that you have a soul.
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