THE LONG TRAIL 



forced him, although he might well have 

 come through with flying colors had he 

 felt that he was acting on his own respon- 

 sibilit}^ In his discussions with us father 

 could, of course, shape our opinions in 

 what he thought the proper mould. 



In like manner, when it came to taking 

 me to Africa father wanted me to go, but 

 he also wanted me to thoroughly under- 

 stand the pros and cons. He explained 

 to me that it was a holiday that he was 

 allowing himself at fifty, after a very busy 

 life — that if I went I would have to make 

 up my mind that my holiday was com- 

 ing at the beginning of my life, and 

 be prepared to work doubly hard to 

 justify both him and myself for having 

 taken it. He said that the great danger 

 lay in my being unsettled, but he felt that, 

 taken rightly, the experience could be 

 made a valuable asset instead of a liability. 

 29 



