From Fox's Earth 



not men; at least not much. The same spirit 

 finds a more restricted play in gentler times, and 

 seeks expression in other ways. 



The borderer is grim of humour and reserved 

 even to stand-offishness. He were the last to 

 grovel who by the ordinary standards is some- 

 times not quite civil. Temptations, which have 

 beset others and taught them meannesses, are 

 absent. Had they been present, it would have 

 made little difference. The disposition is not 

 there. A rude husk hides the kernel. It does 

 not readily drop off. So hardly does it split that 

 some have thought all was husk. That is a 

 mistake. Exceptions there may be. I speak of 

 men as I have found them ; not once, but 

 through many seasons, and under divers con- 

 ditions. I have known the husk and also the 

 kernel. 



In soft murmurs the stream goes by, kissing 

 the green haughs and swishing the long water- 

 grasses. In faultless curves it journeys on 

 before. Mood passes into mood in a cycle of 

 changes, without abruptness ; the old mood still 

 returning to pass again. I say mood because, 

 amid so much that is subjective, one finds it hard 

 to draw a line between self and scene. Grave 

 or gay, neath sun or cloud. Never boisterous, 

 only breaking into soft low laughter. Nor yet 

 very sad, at most pensive. 



Current comes into being in shallow ripples, 

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