There was to be no more of that studious content, that security in
historic analysis, and that constant satisfaction of an appetite which
never cloyed. A wisdom more imperative and more profound was to put a
term to the comfortable wisdom of learning. All the balance of
judgement, the easy, slow convictions, the broad grasp of things, the
vision of their complexity, the pleasure in their innumerable
life--all that had to be given up. Fanaticisms were no longer entirely
to be despised, just appreciations and a strong grasp of reality no
longer entirely to be admired.

The Catholic Church will have no philosophies. She will permit no
comforts; the cry of the martyrs is in her far voice; her eyes that
see beyond the world present us heaven and hell to the confusion of
our human reconciliations, our happy blending of good and evil things.

By the Lord! I begin to think this intimate religion as tragic as a
great love. There came back into my mind a relic that I have in my
house. It is a panel of the old door of my college, having carved on
it my college arms. I remembered the Lion and the Shield, _Haec fuit,
Haec almae janua sacra domus._ Yes, certainly religion is as tragic as
first love, and drags us out into the void away from our dear homes.

It is a good thing to have loved one woman from a child, and it is a
good thing not to have to return to the Faith.

They cook worse in Undervelier than any place I was ever in, with the
possible exception of Omaha, Neb.

LECTOR. Why do you use phrases like _'possible exception'?_