"The worthiest object of life?" I said. "Is that the question?"
"It will not be a question, when you have answered it," De
Saussure said gallantly.
"You will not like my answer," I said. "I should think it would be, To please God."
"But that is not an answer, pardon me. Of course, the Supreme Being is pleased to see people following the worthiest object; and the question is, What is the worthiest?"
I did not like to hear Mr. De Saussure's tongue touch themes where it was not at home. The conversation was too serious for light handling; but I could not get out of it.
"You will find that my answer includes all," I said. "It is impossible to lay down a rule, as to particulars, that will fit all cases. It is the best thing one man can do, to lay down his life for his country; the best thing another man can do is to stay at home and devote himself to the care of an infirm mother or father; but in either case, for God."
"I do not understand -" said Mr. Marshall.
"Suppose the one goes to the battlefield for his own glory, and the other stays at home for his own ease?"
"Don't you think glory is a thing to live for?" said Ransom, with an indignant expression that reminded me painfully of our childish days.
"Yes," I said slowly, - "I do; but not the praise of men, which is so often mistaken. The glory that comes from God, - that is worth living for."