I drag him away from his work, and here he is
discoursing with you on reform just as a race is going to start.
You may imagine, my dear, what a thorn he is in the side of the
bigwigs. You have heard of Talleyrand's advice to a young official,
'Above all things, no zeal.' Go away, Bathurst; Miss Hannay wants
to see the race, and even if she doesn't she is powerless to assist
you in your crusade."
Bathurst laughed and drew off.
"That is too bad, Doctor. I was very interested. I like to talk to
people who can think of something besides races and balls and the
gossip of the station."
"Yes, in reason, in reason, my dear; but there is a medium in all
things. I have no doubt Bathurst will be quite happy some time
or other to give you his full views on child marriages, and the
remarriages of widows, and female education, and the land settlement,
and a score of other questions, but for this a few weeks of
perfect leisure will be required. Seriously, you know that I think
Bathurst one of the finest young fellows in the service, but his
very earnestness injures both his prospects and his utility. The
officials have a horror of enthusiasm; they like the cut and dried
subordinate who does his duty conscientiously, and does not trouble
his head about anything but carrying out the regulations laid down
for him.
"Theoretically I agree with most of Bathurst's views, practically
I see that a score of officials like him would excite a revolution
throughout a whole province.
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