'Alaric, that which is evil is evil. Lies are evil—'
'And am I a liar?'
'Heaven forbid that I should say so: heaven forbid that I should have to think so! but it is by such doctrines as that that men become liars.'
'What! by having muddy gaiters?'
'By disregarding the means in looking to the end.'
'And I will tell you how men become mere vegetables, by filling their minds with useless—needless scruples—by straining at gnats—'
'Well, finish your quotation,' said Harry.
'I have finished it; in speaking to you I would not for the world go on, and seem to insinuate that you would swallow a camel. No insinuation could be more base or unjust. But, nevertheless, I think you may be too over-scrupulous. What great man ever rose to greatness,' continued Alaric, after they had walked nearly the length of the building in silence, 'who thought it necessary to pick his steps in the manner you have described?'
'Then I would not be great,' said Harry.
'But, surely, God intends that there shall be great men on the earth?'