When the wave flings itself pettishly against the shore which opposes its views of progress, it does not reflect that thereby is created an undertow which will sweep from their comfortable resting-places any number of innocent little pebbles which had no share whatever in defeating its purpose — the which is a lack of forethought reasonable enough in a wave, but wholly unpardonable in a girl. It showed, as much as anything could, Miss Berrith’s utter want of consideration, that she ignored what I may call the reflex action of perversity. She had been thoughtlessly petulant with me, and it was wholly due to this that I, who am usually of the most equable and tolerant temper in the world, discharged Darius on the following day. It was unjust on my part; if you will; but she had moiled the spring of my customary serenity. I had exhausted my store of patience upon her former humours, and with this last strain upon its resources the reservoir went completely dry.
