life. Here you are with nobody but yokels to talk to, and
the pulse of the region about two to the minute."

"Twin brother of my soul, companion of the palmy days of youth,
methinks--as they say in the wild and wondrous West--you hit me where I
live. But none of these things move me. I am lost in admiration of your
oratory: really, Bob, I didn't think it was in you. But you said all
this, in simpler language, last night."

I saw I had overshot the mark: when he takes that tone, you are nowhere.
"Jim," I said, "let's be serious. Begin where we left off, then. Granted
that you don't care for making money, and the ends most of us are after.
By character and fortune you are above the usual selfish motives. Still
you are a man, a member of the community: you have duties to your
fellows. Let the nobler motives come in. Do something to make the world
happier, wiser, better. You have the power, if you had the will. Are not
private talents a public trust? You used to berate the hogs of Epicurus'
sty. It seems to me you've fallen back on mere self-indulgence. Your
life here is a huge egoism. Cut loose from these withering notions:
there is a better side to things than the one you see. Come back to the
world, and be a man again."

His eye was very bright now--not that it was ever dull--but I could not
quite make out what it meant; perhaps mere curiosity. "Robert," he said,
"I should believe that somebody had been coaching you, but there's no
one in range who could do it except myself. It's not like you to have
brought books along; and you've not had time to hear from home. What put
you up to this?"

"Hartman," I said, "look me in the eye and see whether I mean what I
say. Go back with me next week. Make your home at my house till you can
look round. I'll introduce you to some men who are not shams--and women,
if you like. I know a few who have souls and consciences, though they do
go to parties. I'll help you all I'm worth. You can make a new start.
Something went wrong before. Better luck this time."

"Bob," said he, "I'll take your word for it. Deeply touched by such
unexpected and undeserved consideration--no, I won't chaff. You're not
half a bad lot. But, my dear boy, you see the thing from your
standpoint; mine is different. I'll try to explain. But what would you
have me do?"

"Whatever is best for you. Anything, so you get an object in life."

"Do you remember what De Senancour says, in _Obermann_?"

"Not I. Put it