There came to Samoa a man from Honolulu; he, in a public-house on the beach, volunteered the statement that Damien had 'contracted the disease from having connection with the female lepers'; and I find a joy in telling you how the report was welcomed in a public-house.

A man sprang to his feet; I am not at liberty to give his name, but from what I heard I doubt if you would care to have him to dinner in Beretania Street.

'You miserable little--' (here is a word I dare not print, it would so shock your ears).

'You miserable little--,' he cried, 'if the story were a thousand times true, can't you see you are a million times a lower--for daring to repeat it ?' I wish it could be told of you that when the report reached you in your house, perhaps after family worship, you had found in your soul enough holy anger to receive it with the same expressions; ay, even with that one which I dare not print; it would not need to have been blotted away, like Uncle Toby's oath, by the tears of the recording angel; it would have been counted to you for your brightest righteousness.

But you have deliberately chosen the part of the man from Honolulu, and you have played it with improvements of your own.