Who and what was I,
that I should venture not only to form opinions, but to thrust them
down the throats of others? After all, how narrow are the limits of
the knowledge upon which we base our judgments. Perhaps the great sea
of intuition that surrounds us is safer to float on than are these
little islets of individual experience, whereon we are so wont to take
our stand.
Meanwhile my duty was not to speculate on the dreams and mental
attitudes of others, but like a practical hunter and trader, to carry
to a successful issue an expedition that I was well paid to manage,
and to dig up a certain rare flower root, if I could find it, in the
marketable value of which I had an interest. I have always prided
myself upon my entire lack of imagination and all such mental
phantasies, and upon an aptitude for hard business and an appreciation
of the facts of life, that after all are the things with which we have
to do. This is the truth; at least, I hope it is. For if I were to be
/quite/ honest, which no one ever has been, except a gentleman named
Mr.
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