But I believe that the minds of men are often very
carefully, very deftly, poised, and that a little push can send them one
way or the other. Have you ever balanced one billiard-ball on the top of
another?"
"Yes."
"Then you know that a breath will upset it and send it rolling.
Be careful. Your mind, your very nature, may be poised like that
billiard-ball. Addison's may be the same. Indeed, I feel sure
Addison's is. That curious dread of you which overcame him at your
last sitting is a sign of it. The whole thing is wrong--bad for body
and for mind."
"Perhaps. Well, we have definitely agreed to give it up."
"That's well. Eleven o'clock! I must be going. Are you doing anything
to-morrow night?"
"No."
"I have got a box for this new play at the Duke's Theatre. Will you
come?"
"With pleasure."
"I will ask Addison also."
They put on their overcoats, and walked a little way along Pall Mall
before they parted. Near the Atheneaum they passed a tall, thin man,
who was coming in the opposite direction. He turned round as they went
by, and stood directly regarding them till they were out of sight.
CHAPTER VII
THE REGENT STREET EPISODE
The things we do apparently by chance often have a curious applicability
to the things we have thought.
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