Rufus bit his lip and for several turns walked the room in silence — evidently because he could not speak. Perhaps the words, 'Them that honour me, I will honour,' — might have come to his mind. But when at last he began to talk, it was not upon that theme.
"Governor," — he said in a quieter tone, — "I wish you would help me."
"I will — if I can."
"Tell me what I shall do."
"Tell me your own thoughts first, Will."
"I have hardly any. The world at large seems a wretched and utter blank to me."
"Make your mark on it, then."
"Ah! — that is what we used to say. — I don't see how it is to be done."
"It is to be done in many ways, Rufus; in many courses of action; and there is hardly one you can set your hand to, in which it may not be done."
Rufus again struggled with some feeling that was too much for him.