Page 73 - Fairbrass

make people really happy? I hear them
say that it comforts them, but, really, they

seem just as discontented when the service
is over as they did before it began* ’

‘ I’ll tell you one of the reasons,’ said
the Kneeling Knight, (Most of the people

who come here are, for private reasons of
their own, more or less unhappy ; and the

worst of it is, they think everyone except
themselves is happy. O h! yes, I can read

their thoughts, and I know that what I say
is right* For example, your rich grand­

father, who sits alone in his great pew, is
unhappy because he cannot get investments

to pay him well for his money ; and instead
of attending to the service and the sermon,

he worries about that, and envies the poor
old labouring man who sits in the free seats,

is never expected to give anything to the
collection, and has no stake in the country.

Your father is unhappy, Fairbrass, because
he lives in dread that he should die before

he has made what the world would call
suitable provision for his children ; and he,