Self-conceit,' said Herrick.

Ah, but I mean seriously!' said Attwater.

Call it self-respect, then!' corrected Herrick, with a laugh.

And why not Grace? Why not God's Grace, Hay?' asked Attwater. 'Why

not the grace of your Maker and Redeemer, He who died for you, He

who upholds you, He whom you daily crucify afresh? There is nothing

here,'--striking on his bosom--'nothing there'--smiting the wall--'and

nothing there'--stamping--'nothing but God's Grace! We walk upon it, we

breathe it; we live and die by it; it makes the nails and axles of the

universe; and a puppy in pyjamas prefers self-conceit!' The huge dark

man stood over against Herrick by the line of the divers' helmets, and

seemed to swell and glow; and the next moment the life had gone from

him. 'I beg your pardon,' said he; 'I see you don't believe in God?'

'Not in your sense, I am afraid,' said Herrick.

I never argue with young atheists or habitual drunkards,' said Attwater

flippantly. 'Let us go across the island to the outer beach.'

It was but a little way, the greatest width of that island scarce

exceeding a furlong, and they walked gently. Herrick was like one in

a dream. He had come there with a mind divided; come prepared to study

that ambiguous and sneering mask, drag out the essential man from

underneath, and act accordingly; decision being till then postponed.

124

The Ebb-Tide