“Today—at the graveside. Say it there, say it for all to hear; swear it ... and then I shall be bound for life, for ever. And then—what then?”
His whole body trembled; his teeth chattered; he cried to God in his agony of doubt. But he felt that his prayer was not sincere. And with faltering step he made his way back to the house.
A voice within him spoke, urging him earnestly, clearly:
“Do not do it. It is more than you can keep. You may say the words, but you will not mean what you say from your heart. What can you do or say?”
He would not listen, but he tried in vain to disregard the voice that would be heard. He staggered like a drunken man; his strength failed him.
Then the first voice died away and another spoke scornfully:
“You will make a fool of yourself, that is all.”
He stopped suddenly, and turned pale. But only for a moment. Then he walked on with a firm step.
“That was vanity,” he murmured. “It was only my fear of what others would think. Now I know what I have to do.”