Mr.
Birtwell was first to speak.
"I have always felt badly," he said, "about the death of Archie
Voss. No blame attaches to us of course, but it was unfortunate that
he had been at our house."
"Yes, very unfortunate," responded the clergyman. Something in his
voice as well as in his manner awakened an uncomfortable feeling in
the mind of Mr. Birtwell.
They were silent again, neither of them seeming at his ease.
"I had hoped," said Mr. Elliott, breaking at length this silence,
"to find you by this time over upon our side."
"The cold-water side, you mean?" There was perceptible annoyance in
Mr. Birtwell's tone.
"On the side of some reform in our social customs. Why can't you
join with your excellent wife in taking the initiative? You may
count on me to endorse the movement and give it my countenance and
support."
"Thank you, Mr. Elliott, but I'm not your man," returned Mr.
Birtwell. He spoke with decision. "I have no desire to be counted in
with reformers."
"Think of the good you might do."
"I am not a philanthropist."
"Then think of the evil you might prevent."
"The good or the evil resulting from my action, take which side I
may, will be very small," said Mr. Birtwell, with an indifference of
manner that showed his desire to drop the subject. But Mr. Elliott
was only leading the way for some plainer talk, and did not mean to
lose his opportunity.
"It is an error," he said, "to make light of our personal influence
or the consequences that may flow from what we do.
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