"Yes," said Mrs. Graves, "that is true, I am sure. But it can be
analysed for all that, though I agree with you that no amount of
analysis will make one act rightly. But I believe," she went on,
"that clearness of view helps one, though not perhaps at the time.
It is a great thing to see what motives are merely conventional and
convenient, and to find out what one really regards as principles.
To look a conventional motive in the face deprives it of its power;
and one can gradually disencumber oneself of all sorts of
complicated impulses, which have their roots in no emotion. It is
only the motives which are rooted in emotion that are vital."
Then, after a pause, she said, "Of course I have seen of late that
you have been dissatisfied with something. I have not liked to ask
you about it; but if it would help you to talk about it, I hope you
will. It is wonderful how talking about things makes one's mind
clear. It isn't anything that others say or advise that helps one,
yet one gains in clearness. But you must do as you like about this,
Howard. I don't want to press you in any way."
"Thank you very much," said Howard. "I know that you would hear me
with patience, and might perhaps advise me if anyone could; but it
isn't that. I have got myself into a strange difficulty; and what I
need is not clearness, but simply courage to face what I know and
perceive. My great lack hitherto is that I have gone through things
without feeling them, like a swallow dipping in a lake; now I have
got to sink and drown.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196