"Have I asked thee to pretend, laddie?"
"But if I go, sir, people naturally assume...."
"And how long has David O'Rane given ear to the vain repetitions of the Synagogue and Market-place?"
For the moment Raney experienced some difficulty in finding an answer. Then he said:
"I'll go if you want me to, sir."
"Laddie, thou art of an age to determine this for thyself. I am an old man, broken with the cares and sorrows of this life. Peradventure the wisdom and truth that were taught me while I hanged yet upon my mother's breast no longer charm the ears of the younger men. Peradventure
"The Saints and Sages that discussed
Of the two Worlds so learnedly are thrust
Like Foolish Prophets forth; their words to scorn
Are scattered, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust."