"
"Change it for heaven's sake," said Phineas.
"I will, if you'll tell me seriously that I may," said Ratler.
"My opinion is," said Bonteen, "that a man should be known either as
a friend or foe. I respect a declared foe."
"Know me as a declared foe then," said Phineas, "and respect me."
"That's all very well," said Ratler, "but it means nothing. I've
always had a sort of fear about you, Finn, that you would go over the
traces some day. Of course it's a very grand thing to be
independent."
"The finest thing in the world," said Bonteen; "only so d----d
useless."
"But a man shouldn't be independent and stick to the ship at the
same time. You forget the trouble you cause, and how you upset all
calculations."
"I hadn't thought of the calculations," said Phineas.
"The fact is, Finn," said Bonteen, "you are made of clay too fine for
office. I've always found it has been so with men from your country.
You are the grandest horses in the world to look at out on a prairie,
but you don't like the slavery of harness."
"And the sound of a whip over our shoulders sets us kicking;--does it
not, Ratler?"
"I shall show the list to Gresham to-morrow," said Ratler, "and of
course he can do as he pleases; but I don't understand this kind of
thing.
Pages:
963
964
965
966
967
968
969
970
971
972
973
974
975
976
977
978
979
980
981
982
983
984
985
986
987