You said I
had been exaggerative. So I have.'
Mr. Crisparkle's brightened face brightens still more.
'I couldn't see it then, because I WAS out of sorts; but I am in a
healthier state now, and I acknowledge it with genuine pleasure. I
made a great deal of a very little; that's the fact.'
'It does me good,' cries Mr. Crisparkle, 'to hear you say it!'
'A man leading a monotonous life,' Jasper proceeds, 'and getting
his nerves, or his stomach, out of order, dwells upon an idea until
it loses its proportions. That was my case with the idea in
question. So I shall burn the evidence of my case, when the book
is full, and begin the next volume with a clearer vision.'
'This is better,' says Mr. Crisparkle, stopping at the steps of his
own door to shake hands, 'than I could have hoped.'
'Why, naturally,' returns Jasper. 'You had but little reason to
hope that I should become more like yourself. You are always
training yourself to be, mind and body, as clear as crystal, and
you always are, and never change; whereas I am a muddy, solitary,
moping weed. However, I have got over that mope. Shall I wait,
while you ask if Mr. Neville has left for my place? If not, he and
I may walk round together.'
'I think,' says Mr. Crisparkle, opening the entrance-door with his
key, 'that he left some time ago; at least I know he left, and I
think he has not come back. But I'll inquire. You won't come in?'
'My company wait,' said Jasper, with a smile.
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