"
"Nevertheless, she spoke that way--you said yourself she did," I
said, seeing that he was wrathful with Marguerite, and wishing to
assuage his anger before it carried him to lengths he might regret.
"And you've got to take her as she is or drop her altogether."
"She did--I repeat that she did speak that way, but that was no
reason why I should submit to it," Harley answered. "It was the
fault of her mood. She was nervous, almost hysterical--thanks to her
rebellious spirit. The moment I discovered how things were going I
should have gone back and started afresh, and kept on doing so until
I had her submissive. A hunter may balk at a high fence, but the
rider must not give in to him unless he wishes to let the animal get
the better of him. If he is wise he will go back and put the horse
to it again and again, until he finally clears the topmost bar. That
I should have done in this instance, and that I now intend to do,
until that book comes out as I want it."
I had to laugh in my sleeve. On the whole, Harley was very like most
other realists, who pretend that they merely put down life as it is,
and who go through their professional careers serenely unconscious of
the truth that their fancies, after all, serve them when their facts
are lacking.
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