ON THE COAST OF ARRAN 131 



greater span which we call Life, as well as in 

 those short holidays which form a part of it. 

 We begin with prodigality and unthinking ex- 

 uberance ; we end with reflection and a pru- 

 dent husbandry of what time or opportunity 

 remains to us. In one point the parallel does 

 not hold: if we leave something here unseen, 

 there is a compensation. We hope to come 

 another year ; and shall we not see it then ? 

 But the longer journey once finished is fin- 

 ished for ever. Although other and infinite 

 possibilities remain, the chance of return does 

 not appear to be among them. 



These thoughts were running through my 

 mind and I gave expression to them. ' Ser- 

 monising again,' said a voice beside me. 



' Well, isn't it Sunday ? ' I answered. ' If a 

 man is to be denied his " liberty of prophe- 

 sying " o' Sundays, what is to become of us ? ' 



This was late in the evening of yesterday, 

 and we were starting for a new walk. While 



