Moreover he had
nothing to carry, for George had left his own rug at the place where they
had slept, knowing that he should find it on his return; he had therefore
insisted on carrying my father's. My father fought as long as he could,
but he had to give in.
"Now tell me," said George, glad to change the subject, "what will those
three men do about what you said to them last night? Will they pay any
attention to it?"
My father laughed. "My dear George, what a question--I do not know them
well enough."
"Oh yes, you do. At any rate say what you think most likely."
"Very well. I think Dr. Downie will do much as I said. He will not
throw the whole thing over, through fear of schism, loyalty to a party
from which he cannot well detach himself, and because he does not think
that the public is quite tired enough of its toy. He will neither preach
nor write against it, but he will live lukewarmly against it, and this is
what the Hankys hate. They can stand either hot or cold, but they are
afraid of lukewarm. In England Dr. Downie would be a Broad Churchman."
"Do you think we shall ever get rid of Sunchildism altogether?"
"If they stick to the cock-and-bull stories they are telling now, and rub
them in, as Hanky did on Sunday, it may go, and go soon. It has taken
root too quickly and easily; and its top is too heavy for its roots;
still there are so many chances in its favour that it may last a long
time.
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