midday
During the interval the lad had been ill at ease , suspecting from the Rabbi 's manner at the Table , and the solemnity of his address , that he disapproved of the action sermon , but he did not for a moment imagine that the situation was serious . It is one of the disabilities of good-natured and emotional people , without much deepness of earth , to belittle the convictions and resolutions of strong natures , and to suppose that they can be talked away by a few pleasant , coaxing words . The Rabbi had often yielded to Carmichael and his other boys in the ordinary affairs of life -- in meat and drink and clothing , even unto the continuance of his snuffing . He had been most manageable and pliable -- as a child in their hands -- and so Carmichael was quite confident that he could make matters right with the old man about a question of doctrine as easily as about the duty of a midday meal . Certain bright and superficial people will only learn by some solitary experience that faith is reserved in friendship , and that the most heroic souls are those which count all things loss -- even the smile of those they love -- for the eternal . For a moment Carmichael was shaken as if a new Rabbi were before him ; then he remembered the study of Kilbogie , and all things that had happened therein , and his spirits rose . `` How dare you suggest such wickedness , Rabbi , that any of us should ever criticise or complain of anything you say ?