But about the banker's (he was also a churchwarden, and his wife never smiled at anything less than a joke by the bishop) there was an atmosphere of solid respectability that I felt would be comforting to my nature.

My dear child, you will come across cynics who will sneer at respectability: don't you listen to them.

Respectability is its own reward--and a very real and practical reward.

It may not bring you dainty dishes and soft beds, but it brings you something better and more lasting.

It brings you the consciousness that you are living the right life, that you are doing the right thing, that, so far as earthly ingenuity can fix it, you are going to the right place, and that other folks ain't.