'By all mean let the ministers serve education on the
School Boards,' they would say, 'by election like other
people'--an opportunity, by the way, which has just been
offered to me. I'm nominated for East Elgin in place of
Leverett, the tanner, who is leaving the town. I shall
do my best to get in, too; there are several matters that
want seeing to over there. The girls' playground, for
one thing, is practically under water in the spring."
"You should get in without the least difficulty. Oh, yes
there is something in a fresh start: we're on the straight
road as a nation, in most respects; we haven't any
picturesque old prescribed lanes to travel. So you think
that makes up?"
"It's one thing. You might put down space--elbow-room."
"An empty horizon," Advena murmured.
"For faith and the future. An empty horizon is better
than none. England has filled hers up. She has now--these,"
and he nodded at a window open to the yellow west. Advena
looked with him.
"Oh, if you have a creative imagination," she said "like
Wallingham's. But even then your vision must be only
political economic, material. You can't conceive
the--flowers--that will come out of all that. And if you
could it wouldn't be like having them."
"And the scope of the individual, his chance of
self-respect, unhampered by the traditions of class,
which either deaden it or irritate it in England! His
chance of significance and success! And the splendid,
buoyant, unused air to breathe, and the simplicity of
life, and the plenty of things!"
"I am to be consoled because apples are cheap.
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