"
"Well, but, Tom," said Arthur, "look what Elisha says to him--'Go in
peace.' He wouldn't have said that if Naaman had been in the wrong."
"I don't see that that means more than saying, 'You're not the man I
took you for.'"
"No, no; that won't do at all," said East. "Read the words fairly, and
take men as you find them. I like Naaman, and think he was a very fine
fellow."
"I don't," said Tom positively.
"Well, I think East is right," said Arthur; "I can't see but what it's
right to do the best you can, though it mayn't be the best absolutely.
Every man isn't born to be a martyr."
"Of course, of course," said East; "but he's on one of his pet
hobbies.--How often have I told you, Tom, that you must drive a nail
where it'll go."
"And how often have I told you," rejoined Tom, "that it'll always go
where you want, if you only stick to it and hit hard enough. I hate
half-measures and compromises."
"Yes, he's a whole-hog man, is Tom. Must have the whole animal-hair and
teeth, claws and tail," laughed East. "Sooner have no bread any day than
half the loaf."
"I don't know;" said Arthur--"it's rather puzzling; but ain't most right
things got by proper compromises--I mean where the principle isn't given
up?"
"That's just the point," said Tom; "I don't object to a compromise,
where you don't give up your principle."
"Not you," said East laughingly.
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