He leaned forward almost touching his
father's chair. "I'm not bound to any one by this money. It was
awfully jolly of Aunt Rachel. I'll never forget her--but I'm free. I
haven't got to say that I believe things when I don't, or that I
think things that she thought just because she did . . . I don't
want to hurt you, father, but you know that it must have seemed to
me pretty odd coming back after all these years and finding you, all
in the same place, doing the same things, believing in the same
things--just like years ago. I've seen the world a bit, I can tell
you--Russia, China, Japan, America, North and South, India. You
believe as far as you can see. What are you to think when, in every
country that you come to, you see people believing in different
things? They can't all be right, you know."
His father said nothing.
"But each thinks he's right--and each hates the other. Then, when I
came back and saw a fellow like that man Thurston preaching and
laying down the law, well, it seemed odd enough that any one could
be taken in by it. I hope I don't hurt you, father . . . only that's
what you want, isn't it .
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