The question was put at length in a voice flat and dead. It summed
up a lifetime of failure and admitted it. After an interval it was
put again:--

"FOR WHAT?"

"I do not believe the Bible any longer. I do not believe in
Christianity."

"Oh, don't do THAT!"

The cry proceeded from David's mother, who crossed quickly and sat
beside her husband, holding his hand, perhaps not knowing her own
motive.

This, then, was the end of hope and pride, the reward of years of
self-denial, the insult to all this poverty. For the time, even the
awful nature of his avowal made no impression.

After a long silence, the father asked feebly:--

"WHY HAVE YOU COME BACK HERE?"

Suddenly he rose, and striding across to his son, struck him one
blow with his mind:--

"OH, I ALWAYS KNEW THERE WAS NOTHING IN YOU!"

It was a kick of the foot.