nonchalantly to the gate.--Unless, of course, you meant it for my good?"
He bent his brows inquiringly.

"We meant it--" said Ferdie, and paused.

"--for your good," said Thompson.

"Oh, well, if you meant it for my good!" said Boland graciously. "All
the same, if I ever decide to 'be somebody,' I'm going to be Francis
Charles Boland, and not a dismal imitation of a copy of some celebrated
poseur--I'll tell you those! Speaking as a man of liberal--or
lax--morality, you surprise me. You are godly and cleanly men; yet, when
you saw in me a gem of purest ray serene, did you appeal to my better
nature? Nary! In a wild and topsy-turvy world, did you implore me to
devote my splendid and unwasted energies in the service of Good, with a
capital G? Nix! You appealed to ambition, egotism, and greed.... Fie! A
fie upon each of you!"

"Don't do that! Have mercy! We appeal to your better nature. We repent."

"All the same, I am going for my stroll, rejoined the youth, striving to
repress his righteous indignation out of consideration for his humiliated
companions, who now--alas, too late!--saw their conduct in its true
light. For, he continued, with a flashing look from his intelligent eyes,
I desire no pedestal; I am not avaricious. Be mine the short and simple
flannels of the poor."

* * * * *

An hour later Francis Charles paused in his strolling, cap in hand, and