It was I who detected that the supposed nation
spoken of by the Sunchild was an invention designed in order to give us
instruction by the light of which we might more easily remodel our
institutions. I have sometimes thought that my gift of interpretation
was vouchsafed to me in recognition of the humble services that I was
hereby allowed to render. By the way, you have received no illumination
this morning, have you?"
"I never do, sir, when I am in the company of one whose conversation I
find supremely interesting. But you were telling me about Bridgeford: I
live hundreds of miles from Bridgeford, and have never understood the
suddenness, and completeness, with which men like Professors Hanky and
Panky and Dr. Downie changed front. Do they believe as you and I do, or
did they merely go with the times? I spent a couple of hours with Hanky
and Panky only two evenings ago, and was not so much impressed as I could
have wished with the depth of their religious fervour."
"They are sincere now--more especially Hanky--but I cannot think I am
judging them harshly, if I say that they were not so at first. Even now,
I fear, that they are more carnally than spiritually minded. See how
they have fought for the aggrandisement of their own order. It is mainly
their doing that the Musical Banks have usurped the spiritual authority
formerly exercised by the straighteners.
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