Chapter 38

by Herman Melville

　　THE DISCIPLE UNBENDS, AND CONSENTS TO ACT A SOCIAL PART.In the master's presence the disciple had stood as one not ignorant ofhis place; modesty was in his expression, with a sort of reverentialdepression. But the presence of the superior withdrawn, he seemedlithely to shoot up erect from beneath it, like one of those wire menfrom a toy snuff-box.He was, as before said, a young man of about thirty. His countenance ofthat neuter sort, which, in repose, is neither prepossessing nordisagreeable; so that it seemed quite uncertain how he would turn out.His dress was neat, with just enough of the mode to save it from thereproach of originality; in which general respect, though with areadjustment of details, his costume seemed modeled upon his master's.But, upon the whole, he was, to all appearances, the last person in theworld that one would take for the disciple of any transcendentalphilosophy; though, indeed, something about his sharp nose and shavedchin seemed to hint that if mysticism, as a lesson, ever came in hisway, he might, with the characteristic knack of a true New-Englander,turn even so profitless a thing to some profitable account."Well" said he, now familiarly seating himself in the vacated chair,"what do you think of Mark? Sublime fellow, ain't he?""That each member of the human guild is worthy respect my friend,"rejoined the cosmopolitan, "is a fact which no admirer of that guildwill question; but that, in view of higher natures, the word sublime, sofrequently applied to them, can, without confusion, be also applied toman, is a point which man will decide for himself; though, indeed, if hedecide it in the affirmative, it is not for me to object. But I amcurious to know more of that philosophy of which, at present, I have butinklings. You, its first disciple among men, it seems, are peculiarlyqualified to expound it. Have you any objections to begin now?""None at all," squaring himself to the table. "Where shall I begin? Atfirst principles?""You remember that it was in a practical way that you were representedas being fitted for the clear exposition. Now, what you call firstprinciples, I have, in some things, found to be more or less vague.Permit me, then, in a plain way, to suppose some common case in reallife, and that done, I would like you to tell me how you, the practicaldisciple of the philosophy I wish to know about, would, in that case,conduct.""A business-like view. Propose the case.""Not only the case, but the persons. The case is this: There are twofriends, friends from childhood, bosom-friends; one of whom, for thefirst time, being in need, for the first time seeks a loan from theother, who, so far as fortune goes, is more than competent to grant it.And the persons are to be you and I: you, the friend from whom the loanis sought--I, the friend who seeks it; you, the disciple of thephilosophy in question--I, a common man, with no more philosophy than toknow that when I am comfortably warm I don't feel cold, and when I havethe ague I shake. Mind, now, you must work up your imagination, and, asmuch as possible, talk and behave just as if the case supposed were afact. For brevity, you shall call me Frank, and I will call you Charlie.Are you agreed?""Perfectly. You begin."The cosmopolitan paused a moment, then, assuming a serious and care-wornair, suitable to the part to be enacted, addressed his hypothesizedfriend.