Now that
the meeting was open to all he rose slowly to his feet, steadying
himself with his cane.
"He looks like the Ancient Mariner," giggled an exceedingly immature
youth, who sat next to Ida.
She turned upon him sharply and said, in a low tone, "If you have
the faintest instincts of a gentleman you will respect that venerable
man."
The youth was so effectually quenched that he bore the aspect of
a turnip-beet during the remainder of the service.
"My young friends," began the old main in tones of gentle dignity,
"will you listen patiently and quietly to one that you see will
not have the chance to speak many more words. My eyes are a little
dim, but you all appear young and happy; and yet I am sorry for
you, very sorry for you. You don't realize what you are and what
is before you. You remind me of a number of pleasure boats just
starting out to sea. I have been across this ocean, and have almost
reached the other shore. I know what terrible storms and dangers
you will meet. You can't escape these storms, my young friends.
No one can, and you don't seem prepared to meet them.
"Your manner has pained me very much, and yet, as my Master said,
so I have felt, you 'know not what you do.
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