“You have ruined mine.”

“Wilfully?”

“How else shall I explain your conduct?”

“I warned you.”

“Warning, indeed! The warning that the snake gives to the sparrow helpless under its gaze.”

“Ah, but who tells you that the snake is to blame? Is it not rather the occult power that prescribes with blood on brazen scroll the law of our being?”

“This is no solace to the sparrow. But whatever may be said, let us drop the past. Let us consider the present. I beg of you, leave this boy — let him develop without your attempting to stifle the life in him or impressing upon it the stamp of your alien mind.”