He
had gained a small bursary, and gave lessons when he could.
But having no level channel for the outgoing of the waters of one of
the tenderest hearts that ever lived, those waters had sought to
break a passage upwards. Herein his experience corresponded in a
considerable degree to that of Robert; only Eric's more fastidious
and more instructed nature bred a thousand difficulties which he
would meet one by one, whereas Robert, less delicate and more
robust, would break through all the oppositions of theological
science falsely so called, and take the kingdom of heaven by force.
But indeed the ruins of the ever falling temple of theology had
accumulated far more heavily over Robert's well of life, than over
that of Ericson: the obstructions to his faith were those that
rolled from the disintegrating mountains of humanity, rather than
the rubbish heaped upon it by the careless masons who take the
quarry whence they hew the stones for the temple--built without
hands eternal in the heavens.
When Dr. Anderson entered, Ericson opened his eyes wide. The doctor
approached, and taking his hand began to feel his pulse. Then first
Ericson comprehended his visit.
'I can't,' he said, withdrawing his hand. 'I am not so ill as to
need a doctor.'
'My dear sir,' said Dr. Anderson, courteously, 'there will be no
occasion to put you to any pain.'
'Sir,' said Eric, 'I have no money.'
The doctor laughed.
'And I have more than I know how to make a good use of.
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