As a rule we only sail and sail. Where we are going, and
what we shall meet, the Lord only knows--we don't. I have travelled
abroad at times, and have seen a little of society at home, and if
growing selfish, mean, and vicious, is going to the bad, than it
would seem that more find the bottom than any port."
"Oh, hush, Mr. Van Berg," cried Miss Burton. "You will fill the
world with a blind, stupid fate and the best one can hope for is the
rare good luck or the skilful dodging which enables one to escape
the random blows and storms. I believe in God and law, although
I confess I can understand neither. As the good Mussulman looks
towards Mecca, so I look toward them and pray and hope on. This
snarl of life will yet be untangled."
"I assure you that I try to do the same, but not with your success,
I fear. Your illustration strikes me as unfortunate. The Moslem
looks toward Mecca; but what is there in Mecca worth looking
toward? If he only thought so, might he not as well look in any
other direction?"
"Please don't talk so, Mr. Van Berg. Don't you see that he can't
look in any other direction? He has been taught to look thither
till it is part of his nature to do so.
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