"If I am worth anything at all," he suddenly cried out, "if I have gained any force of character, any power for good at all, I owe it all to my rector's self-sacrificing endeavors on my behalf—of course, through God's blessing."
"Then," said Malling, "you think that Mr. Harding changed you by his influence?"
"He helped me to develop, he brought me on. Jealousy was unknown to him.
I was a very poor preacher. He taught me how to hold people's attention.
When I knew he was near me I sometimes seemed almost inspired. I was
inspired by him. I preached almost as if out of his mouth. And now!"
He made a despairing gesture.
"Now it will all be different!" he exclaimed.
And almost involuntarily Malling found himself echoing:
"Yes, now it will all be different."
He had seen, he had heard, enough to make his report to the professor, and he resolved to go. He held out his hand.
"Oh, but," said Chichester, pressing one hand to his forehead, "I'm so selfish, so forgetful in my great grief! Surely you said you had come on some matter of importance."
"It will wait," said Malling. "Another day. Go and rest now. You need rest. Any one can see that."