STONING THE LAND 191 



everything I could to cheer him along. He might 

 have been a particularly useful member of society 

 had he chosen. As it was he deliberately added 

 helplessness to hopelessness, and he was the only 

 person with whom I had a stormy passage or with 

 whom I agreed to differ in Canada and in whose 

 conduct I failed to discover my share of the blame. 

 And one's share in the blame is always just a little 

 consoling. 



"You're best quit on him," said Roddy McMahon. 

 " I never see anyone yet to do so little and to want 

 so much praise for it. 'Twas a fright ! " 



