"Suppose you are an atom against the universe?" "Don't fight, succumb.
There's a proverb,--a wise one,--Napoleon's, 'God is on the side of the
strongest battalions.'"

"A lie,--exploded at Waterloo. There's another proverb, 'One on the side
of God is a majority.' How about that?"

"Transcendental humbug."

"A truth demonstrated at Wittenberg."

"Are you aching for the martyr's palm?"

"I am afraid not. On the whole, I think I'd rather enjoy life than
quarrel with it. But"--with a sudden blaze--"I feel to-day like fighting
the world."

"Hey, presto! what now, young'un?"

"I don't wonder you stare"--a little laugh. "I'm talking like a fool,
and, for aught I know, feeling like one, aching to fight, and knowing
that I might as well quarrel with the winds, or stab that water as it
flows by."

"As with what?"

"The fellow I've just been getting a good look at."

"What manner of fellow?"