“Was it modesty,” I asked, “which has thus far deterred you from mentioning the identity of his teacher?”
“I could not suppose you would be interested,” said Miss Berrith.
“On the contrary,” I replied, “I have a very sincere admiration for those who are engaged in doing good, of one kind or another, and according to their lights. I am only afraid that you are too gentle with him.”
“Can one be too gentle?” she asked ingenuously.
“Oh, yes,” I assured her. “‘Spare the rod and spoil the child,’ you know. Darius has his part cut out for him, and the best one could do would be to teach him to play it properly. He should be taught, first of all, a due respect for his superiors: then, devotion to his work: and, finally, that those in a subordinate position should not expect too much in the way of luxury or liberty. One is never too young to learn such lessons.”
