The Indianapolis journal., 1904-02-16
CHAPTER ".

1t has been often enough remarked that women
have curious power of divining the characters
of men, which would seem to be innate and in
stinctive; seeing that 1t is arrived at through
no patient process of reasoning, that it can
give no satisfactory sufficient account of itself
and that it pronounces in the most confident
manner, against accumulated observation
the part of the other sex. But it has not been
quite so often remarked that this power (falli-
BILE, like every other human attribute) is for
the most part absolutely incapable of self-revi-
sion; and that when it has delivered an adverse
opinion which by all human lights is subse-
quently proved to have failed, it is undistin-
guishable from prejudice, in respect of its de-
termination not to be corrected. Nay. the very
possibility of contradiction disproof however
remote, communicates to this feminine judgment
from the first in nine cases out of ten the weak
ness attendant the testimony of inter-
ested witness; so personally and strongly does
the fair diviner connect herself with her diyina-
tion
Now, don't you think, Ma DEAR" said the
Minor Canon to his mother one day as she sat
at her knitting in his little bookroom, that
you rather hard on Mr.. Neville?'
mo. I do not, Sept" returned the old lady.
LET us discuss IL. Ma"
81 have no objection to discuss il, Sept. 1
trust, my dear 1 am always open to discussion -
There
though she internally added, "and should like
to see the discussion that would change my
mindv'
Very good, Ma said her conciliatory son.
''There is nothing like being open to discussion "
II hope not. my DEAR returned the old lady,
evidently shut to it.
well. Mr.. Neville, on that unfortunate oc-
casion, commits himself under provocation.'
And under mulled wine,' added the old lady
II must admit the wine Though 1 believe
the two young men much alike in that
regard
81 don't" said the old lady.
"Why not MAJ"
Because L DON'T said the old lady. still
1 am quite open to discussion
But my dear Ma. l cannot see how We are
to discuss If you take that line"
Blame MI. Neville for it, Sept and not me-"
said the CID lady with stately severity.
My Ma! why Mr.. Neville?'
Because" said Mrs. Crisparkle. retiring on
first principles. ''he came home intoxicated. and
did great discredt to this house, and showed
great disrespect to this family"
THAT is not TO be denied Ma. He then.
and he is now, very sorry for it,
but for Mr. Jaspers we-bred consideration
in coming up to me. day. after service.
in the Nave itself with his gown still on. and
expressing his hope that had not been greatly
alarmed or had my rest violently broken. be-
lieve l might never have heard of this disgrace
full transaction" said the old lady
ITO be candid. Ma. 1 think should have kept
il from you if 1 could; though l had not de-
cidedly made UP my mind. 1 was following
Jasper out, confer with him the subject
and to consider the expediency of his and my
Jointly hushlng the thing Up on all accounts
when found him speaking to you. Then it was
too late"
TOO late, indeed. Sept He was still as pale
as genuemanly ashes at what had taken place
in his rooms overnight"
III 1 had kept it from you. Ma. you may be
sure it would have been for your peace and quiet,
and for the good OF the young men. and in my
best discharge of my duty according to my
| lights
| The old lady Immediately walked across the
room and kissed him. saying: "Of course my
dear Sept. I am sure OF that"
| However. II became the town talk, said Mr..
| Crisparhle rubbing his ear his mother re-
sumed her seat and her knitting and passed
out of my power"
And I said then. sept" returned the old lady,
that l thought ilI Of Mr.. Neville. And l said
may come TO good. but don't believe he will. "
Here the cap vibrated again considerably.
! II sorry TO hear you say So Ma
| II sorry to say so. my dear interpose6
the old lady knitting on firmly but 1 CAM
| help it,
For" pursued the Minor Canon. "it is un.
| deniable that Mr. Neville is exceedingly indus
trious and attentive. and that he improves apace