So long as he keeps his
head, he can meet both sexes on equal ground an advantage never
intended by Providence, who fashioned Man on one day and
Woman on another, in sign that neither should know more than a
very little of the other's life. Such a man goes far, or, the counsel
being withdrawn, collapses suddenly while his world seeks the
reason.
Generalled by Mrs. Hauksbee, who, again, had all Mrs. Mallowe's
wisdom at her disposal, proud of himself and, in the end, believing
in himself because he was believed in, Otis Yeere stood ready for
any fortune that might befall, certain that it would be good. He
would fight for his own hand, and intended that this second
struggle should lead to better issue than the first helpless surrender
of the bewildered 'Stunt.
What might have happened it is impossible to say. This lamentable
thing befell, bred directly by a statement of Mrs. Hauksbee that she
would spend the next season in Darjiling.
'Are you certain of that?' said Otis Yeere.
'Quite. We're writing about a house now.'
Otis Yeere 'stopped dead,' as Mrs. Hauksbee put it in discussing
the relapse with Mrs. Mallowe.
'He has behaved,' she said angrily, 'just like Captain Kerrington's
pony only Otis is a donkey at the last Gymkhana. Planted his
forefeet and refused to go on another step. Polly, my man's going
to disappoint me.
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