He sought agreement from each of us in turn, reverting a second to Brinsley with his ocular inquiry.

  It is a grand and a noble life, he said, teaching the young and the sick and nursing them back to their God-given health. It is, faith. There is a special crown for those that give themselves up to that work.

  It is hard life, but, said Brinsley.

  A hard life? said my uncle. Certainly so, but tell me this: Is it worth your while?

  Brinsley gave a nod.

  Worth your while and well worth it, said my uncle. A special crown is a thing that is not offered every day of the week. Oh, it's a grand thing, a grand life. Doctoring and teaching, the two of them are marked out for special graces and blessings.

  He mused for a while, staring at the smoke of his cigarette. He then looked up and laughed, clapping his hand on the top of the washstand.

  But long faces won't get any of us very far. Eh, Mr Brinsley? I am a great believer in the smile and the happy world.

  A sovereign remedy for our ills, said Brinsley.

  A sovereign remedy for our ills, said my uncle. Very nicely put. Well ...

  He held out his hand in valediction.

  Mind yourself now, he said, and mind and keep the coat buttoned up. The 'flu is the boy I'd give the slip to.

  He was civilly replied  to. He left the room with a pleased smile but was not gone for three seconds till he was back again with a grave look, coming upon us suddenly in our moment of relaxation and relief.

  Oh, that matter of the Brothers, he said in a low tone to Brinsley, would you care for me to put a word for you?

  Thanks very much, said Brinsley, but -

  No trouble at all, said my uncle. Brother Hanley, I may tell you, is a very special friend of mine.

Well, that is very good of you, said brinsley.

Oh, not in the least, said my uncle. There is a way of doing things, you understand. It is a great thing to have a friend in court. And Brother Hanley, I may tell you privately, is one of the best -Oh, one of the very best in the world. It would be a pleasure to work with a man like Brother Hanley. I will have a word with him tomorrow.

PAGES  1    2    3   4   5   6  7   8   9  10  ANALYSIS