"Scattergood," I said, "there's a sort of friendship in the Universe which does not scruple on occasion to break every bone in a man's body, and I greatly fear that Ethelberta may be one of its ministers. Now, here's a plain question. Would you be prepared to stand before your class to-morrow morning and bid them trust the Universe for no better reasons than those on which you trust your life to the tender mercies of that bru——of Ethelberta?"
"I only wish I could find them reasons half as good."
"Half as good as what?"
"As those for which I trust my life to Ethelberta."
"What are they?"
"I can't tell you. If I did tell, the reasons would lose their force. But until they are uttered they are quite conclusive."
"What!" I cried; "are the reasons taboo? Have you found a magic formula?"
"Don't jest," he said. "The matter's far too serious. There is more at stake than the mere safety of my life."
"Then you admit your life is at stake," said I; and I thought I had scored a point.
"No, I don't. But other things are—things of far greater importance. My life, however, runs no risk from Ethelberta."