"And live a hermit's life?" Mr. Britton queried, with a peculiar smile.
"For a while, yes," Darrell replied, more seriously; "until I have
learned to fight these battles out by myself, and to conquer myself."
"There are battles," said the other, speaking thoughtfully, "which are
waged best in solitude, but self is conquered only by association with
one's fellows. Solitude breeds selfishness."
Mr. Britton had resumed his pacing up and down, but a few moments later,
as he approached Darrell, the latter turned, suddenly confronting him.
"My dear friend," he said, "you have been everything to me; you have
done everything for me; I ask you to do one thing more,--forgive and
answer this question: How have you conquered?"
The look of pain that crossed his companion's face filled Darrell with
regret for what he had said, but before he could speak again Mr. Britton
replied gently, with his old smile,-"I doubt whether I have yet wholly conquered; but whatever victory is
mine, I have won, not in solitude and seclusion, but in association with
the sorrowing, the suffering, the sinning, and in sharing their burdens
I found rest from my own."
He paused a moment, then continued, his glowing eyes holding Darrell as
though under a spell: "I know not why, but since our first meeting you have given me a new
interest, a new joy in life. I have been drawn to you and I have loved
you as I thought never again to love any human being, and some day I
will tell you what I have told no other human being,--the story of my
life."
On Saturday Mr. Britton and Darrell returned to The Pines. The
increasing intimacy between them was evident even there. For the last
day or so Mr. Britton had fallen into the habit of addressing Darrell by
his Christian name, much to the latter's delight. For this Mrs. Dean
laughingly called him to account, compelling Mr. Britton to come to his
own defence.
"'John,'" he exclaimed; "of course I'll call him 'John.' It seems
wonderfully pleasant to me. I've always wanted a namesake, and I can
consider him one."
"A namesake!" ejaculated Mrs. Dean, smiling broadly; "I wonder if
there's a poor family or one that's seen trouble of any kind anywhere
around here that hasn't a 'John Britton' among its children! I should
think you had namesakes enough now!"
"One might possibly like to have one of his own selection," he replied,
dryly.
As Darrell took leave of Mr. Britton the following Monday morning the
latter said,-"By the way, John, whenever you are ready to enter upon that hermit life
let me know; I'll provide the hermitage."
"Are you joking?" Darrell queried, unable to catch his meaning.
"Never more serious in my life," he replied, with such unusual gravity
that Darrell forbore to question further.