‘_Or_,’ _said Mr. Honeythunder_, _shaking his head again_, ‘_I might think one of your profession better employed in devoting himself to the discovery and punishment of guilt than in leaving that duty to be undertaken by a layman_.’ * * * * * ‘_Perhaps I expect to retain it still_?’ _Mr. Crisparkle returned_, _enlightened_; ‘_do you mean that too_?’ ‘_Well_, _sir_,’ _returned the professional Philanthropist_, _getting up and thrusting his hands down into his trousers pockets_, ‘_I don’t go about measuring people for caps_. _If people find I have __any about me that fit ’em_, _they can put ’em on and wear ’em_, _if they like_. _That’s their look out_: _not mine_.’ * * * * * _It seems a little hard to be so tied to a stake_, _and innocent_; _but I don’t complain_.’ ‘_And you must expect no miracle to help you_, _Neville_,’ _said Mr. Crisparkle_, _compassionately_. ‘_No_, _sir_, _I know that_. * * * * * _and that of course I am guiding myself by the advice of such a friend and helper_. _Such a good friend and helper_!’ _He took the fortifying hand from his shoulder_, _and kissed it_. _Mr. Crisparkle beamed at the books_, _but not so brightly as when he had entered_. * * * * * _But they were as serviceable as they were precious to Neville Landless_. * * * * * ‘_I don’t think so_,’ _said the Minor Canon_. ‘_There is duty to be done here_; _and there are womanly feeling_, _sense_, _and courage wanted here_.’ ‘_I meant_,’ _explained Neville_, ‘_that the surroundings are so dull and unwomanly_, _and that Helena can have no suitable friend or society here_.’ ‘_You have only to remember_,’ _said Mr. __Crisparkle_, ‘_that you are here yourself_, _and that she has to draw you into the sunlight_.’ _They were silent for a little while_, _and then Mr. Crisparkle began anew_. ‘_When we first spoke together_, _Neville_, _you told me that your sister had risen out of the disadvantages of your past lives as superior to you as the tower of Cloisterham Cathedral is higher than the chimneys of Minor Canon Corner_. _Do you remember that_?’ ‘_Right well_!’ ‘_I was inclined to think it at the time an enthusiastic flight_. _No matter what I think it now_. _What I would emphasise is_, _that under the head of Pride your sister is a great and opportune example to you_.’ ‘_Under all heads that are included in the composition of a fine character_, _she is_.’ ‘_Say so_; _but take this one_.’ * * * * * _She can dominate it even when it is wounded through her sympathy with you_. * * * * *