“‘It is a lie!’ shouted Melchior.  ’I feel it to be so in my heart.  A wicked foolish lie!  Oh! was it to teach such evil folly as this that you left home and us, my brother?  Oh, come back! come back!’

“The philosopher turned his head coldly, and smiled.  ’I thank the gentleman who spoke,’ he said, still in the same cold voice, ’for his bad opinion, and for his good wishes.  I think the gentleman spoke of home and kindred.  My experience of life has led me to find that home is most valued when it is left, and kindred most dear when they are parted.  I have happily freed myself from such inconsistencies.  I am glad to know that fate can tear me from no place that I care for more than the next where it shall deposit me, nor take away any friends that I value more than those it leaves.  I recommend a similar self-emancipation to the gentleman who did me the honour of speaking.’

“With this the philosopher went his way, and the crowd followed him.

“‘There is a separation more bitter than death,’ said Melchior.

“At last he pulled the check-string, and called to Godfather Time in an humble entreating voice.

“‘It is not your fault,’ he began; ’it is not your fault, Godfather; but this drive has been altogether wrong.  Let us turn back and begin again.  Let us all get in afresh and begin again.’

“‘But what a squeeze with all the brats!’ said Godfather Time, ironically.

“‘We should be so happy,’ murmured Melchior, humbly; ’and it is very cold and chilly; we should keep each other warm.’

“‘You have the tiger-skin rug and the opera-glass, you know,’ said Time.

“‘Ah, do not speak of me!’ cried Melchior, earnestly.  ’I am thinking of them.  There is plenty of room; the little one can sit on my knee; and we shall be so happy.  The truth is, Godfather, that I have been wrong.  I have gone the wrong way to work.  A little more love, and kindness, and forbearance, might have kept my sisters with us, might have led the little one to better tastes and pleasures, and have taught the other by experience the truth of the faith and hope and love which he now reviles.  Oh, I have sinned!  I have sinned!  Let us turn back, Godfather Time, and begin again.  And oh! drive very slowly, for partings come only too soon.’

“‘I am sorry,’ said the old man in the same bitter tone as before, ’to disappoint your rather unreasonable wishes.  What you say is admirably true, with this misfortune, that your good intentions are too late.  Like the rest of the world you are ready to seize the opportunity when it is past.  You should have been kind then.  You should have advised then.  You should have yielded then.  You should have loved your brothers and sisters while you had them.  It is too late now.’