“They are not here yet, dear,” laughed Ralph, “except for the President of the United States and others in authority, but I’m sure they are needed. It’s a sorry spectacle to see the small boy dodging the policeman and the hoodlum intimidating him with stones. I am glad we did not have a prohibitive notice on that account, besides Schwarmer’s hand would not have shown up so plainly.”
“And so am I,” said Ruth. Then she thought of the hand that had tried to pat her shoulder and blushed while Ralph grated his teeth and the President said in a serious voice:
“And I was just beginning to be sorry that we did not accept Dr. Normander’s wise prohibition to back the appeal since I perceive that lack of it has caused you needless trouble, insult and expense.”
“O we did not care about that, our hearts and souls were in it,” said Ruth and Ralph in chorus.
“But I care about it. It was not right. I perceive it would grow to be a grievous burden, it must not go on,” he added in a pre-occupied way as though speaking to himself. “Providence has helped me through this time but I almost know He would not do it again. He has shown me the way. I will strive to walk in it. There are many lights by the way. I believe they are all essential and will be suffused at last into the one great light—the eternal verity.”
A moment later Dr. Normander came in.
“You are just in time, Doctor. I was going over to confess that your way was better than mine; or that my appeal needed your prohibitive crutch. Why didn’t you argue me down—down to the practical level at least? They call me a Golden Rule Man, but I am only a President—a figure-head, a blundering mortal and too much afraid of having more laws than are necessary, or than will be obeyed without hatred and strife.”
“Because I am prejudiced in favor of the loving appeal—the higher way, I suppose,” laughed Dr. Normander.
“But you did not propose it, Doctor. Did you think that the higher way—the way of appeal, was too high to be largely operative?”
“Yes, I could hardly help thinking that, for I have been preaching it for years; but I had a glimpse of the immediate good that a wise prohibition might do.”