"I am; indeed I am," he responds.

"No one could have himself better in hand for the time being than I, and if a competition in morals were now going on, I should certainly take the medal.

But I cannot speak for myself an hour in advance.

I make a vow, as I have done so often before, but it does not help me to know what I may be at before the night is out." When his disgust with himself was at its height he suddenly felt like a little god.

His new book had come into view.