He'd wobble."

And back down?"

Every time."

Is that to happen with all my--I mean would that happen to all his high

resolutions?"

Oh certainly--certainly. It's the Rossmore of it."

"Then this creature was fortunate to die! Suppose, for argument's sake,

that I was a Rossmore, and--"

It can't be done."

Why?"

Because it's not a supposable case. To be a Rossmore at your age, you'd

have to be a fool, and you're not a fool. And you'd have to be a

Wobbler, whereas anybody that is an expert in reading character can see

at a glance that when you set your foot down once, it's there to stay;

and earthquake can't wobble it." He added to himself, "That's enough to

say to him, but it isn't half strong enough for the facts. The more

I observe him, now, the more remarkable I find him. It is the strongest

232

The American Claimant