Much good may be in a man, for God made him, and the man yet not be
good, for he has done nothing, since his making, to make himself. Before
you can say you know a man, you must have seen him in a few at least of
his opposite moods. Therefore you cannot wonder that I should desire a
fuller assurance of this young man, than your testimony, founded on an
acquaintance of three or four days, can give me."
"Let me tell you, then, something that happened to-day," I answered.
"When first I asked him to come with me this morning, it was a temptation
to him of course, not knowing when we might see each other again; but he
hadn't his own horse, and said it would be an impertinence to ride
yours."
"I hope you did not come alone!"
"Oh, no. I had set out with Dick, but John came after all."
"Then his refusal to ride my horse does not come to much. It is a small
thing to have good impulses, if temptation is too much for them."
"But I haven't done telling you, uncle!"
"I am hasty, little one. I beg your pardon."
"I have to tell you what made him give in to riding your horse. I
confessed I was a little anxious lest Death, who had not been exercised
for some days, should be too much for Dick. John said then he thought he
might venture, for you had once spoken very kindly to him of the way he
handled his own horse."
"Oh, that's the young fellow, is it!" cried my uncle, in a tone that
could not be taken for other than one of pleasure.
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