"There is a little outlet on every side that makes it impossible to fill!"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that while our action at every step touches other people, and their consequent action moves on with like effect, the limits of our power in this world can never be known."
"Will you think me impertinent if I ask once more what you mean?—or rather, ask you to enlarge a little?"
"If a man plants the first clover seed or thistle-down in some great continent," said Mr. Linden, "from whose little field is it, that in a hundred years the whole land bears thistles or clover?"
"It won't," said the doctor, "if a hundred other things are sown at the same time. And so it seems to me in life—that one action is counteracted by another, universally,—and nothing makes anything!—of any avail."
"If nothing is of any avail, things don't counteract each other. You are proving my position."
The doctor smiled, not unpleasantly.
"I see," he said, "you can maintain any position you choose to take,—on the ground or in the air! I must give way to you on this ground." And Dr. Harrison reined back his horse and came into Faith's neighbourhood.
"Miss Derrick, the road is getting too contracted for such a procession—will you draw bridle?"