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CONSEQUENCES. 5 When the driven-back water formed the first circle on the pond, it did something else as well: it pressed against the air above itfand the air gave way. And the second circle did the same, and so the next, and so the next; till the air was full of pressure-circles, whether mortal eyes could distinguish them or not. And the pressure went backwards and backwards, up into ether, till, for anything I know to the contrarr, it went right round the world. If you are wiser, however, and can say where it stopped, you may shout "There an end !" yourself ; and there ll be an end to my story as well. Otherwise, perhaps not. A child can throw a pebble into the water, but the wisest man cannot say where the waves it sets in motion shall be stilled. It is a light matter to fling off actions and words into the world, but a hard one to know where their influence shall cease to act.