George went home the next day; and the following week sent Andrew a note, explaining that when he saw him he did not know his obligation to him, and expressing the hope that, when next in town, he would call upon him. This was hardly well, being condescension¹ to a superior. Perhaps the worst evil in the sense of social superiority is the vile² fancy that it alters human relation. George did not feel bound to make the same acknowledgment of obligation to one in humble³ position as to one in the same golden rank with himself! It says ill for social distinction, if, for its preservation⁴, such an immoral⁵ difference be essential. But Andrew was not one to dwell upon his rights. He thought it friendly of Mr. Crawford to ask him to call; therefore, although he had little desire to make his acquaintance, and grudged⁶ the loss of time, to no man so precious as to him who has a pursuit in addition to a calling, Andrew, far stronger in courtesy than the man who invited him, took the first Saturday afternoon to go and see him.

 

Mr. Crawford the elder lived in some style, and his door was opened by a servant whose blatant⁷ adornment⁸ filled Andrew with friendly pity: no man would submit to be dressed like that, he judged, except from necessity. The reflection sprung from no foolish and degrading contempt for household service. It is true Andrew thought no labor⁹ so manly¹⁰ as that in the earth, out of which grows everything that makes the loveliness or use of Nature; for by it he came in contact with the primaries of human life, and was God's fellow

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