silence most grateful to Tracy's feelings. He wouldn't have broken it

for anything; for he was ashamed of himself all the way through to his

spine. He kept saying to himself:

How unanswerable it all is--how absolutely unanswerable! It is basely,

degradingly selfish to keep those unearned honors, and--and--oh, hang

it, nobody but a cur--"

What an idiotic damned speech that Tompkins made!"

This outburst was from Barrow. It flooded Tracy's demoralized soul with

waters of refreshment. These were the darlingest words the poor

vacillating young apostate had ever heard--for they whitewashed his shame

for him, and that is a good service to have when you can't get the best

of all verdicts, self-acquittal.

"Come up to my room and smoke a pipe, Tracy."

Tracy had been expecting this invitation, and had had his declination all

ready: but he was glad enough to accept, now. Was it possible that a

reasonable argument could be made against that man's desolating speech?

He was burning to hear Barrow try it. He knew how to start him, and keep

him going: it was to seem to combat his positions--a process effective

with most people.

What is it you object to in Tompkins's speech, Barrow?"

The American Claimant