Still holding her in her arms she gave her the gentle counsel which was the aftermath of her moment of inspiration.
'But Stephen dear, do be careful! Knowledge is a two-edged sword, and it is apt to side with pride.

Remember what was the last temptation of the serpent to Eve: "Your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."' 'I shall be very careful,' she said gravely; and then added as if by an afterthought, 'of course you understand that my motive is the acquisition of knowledge ?' 'Yes ?' the answer was given interrogatively.
'Don't you think, dear, that Eve's object was not so much the acquisition of knowledge as the gratification of curiosity.' 'That may be,' said the elder lady in a doubtful tone; 'but my dear, who is to enlighten us as to which is which?
We are apt in such matters to deceive ourselves.

The more we know, the better are we able to deceive others; and the better we are able to deceive others the better we are able to deceive ourselves.

As I tell you, dear, knowledge is two-edged and needs extra carefulness in its use!' 'True!' said Stephen reflectively.

Long after her aunt had gone she sat thinking.
* * * * * Once again did Miss Rowly try to restrain Stephen from a project.