All I
want is that he should not be out of touch with human beings. I'm
not a metaphysician, but it seems to me that that is what we are
here for--touch with humanity--of course on Church of England
lines. I'm tolerant, I hope, and can see the good side of other
creeds; but give me something comprehensive, and that is the glory
of our English Church. Well, you have given me a lot to think of,
Howard; I must just take it all away and think it over. It's well
to do that, I think? Not to be in a hurry, try to see all round a
question? That is my line always!"
They walked into the drawing-room together; and Howard felt
curiously drawn to the warm-hearted and voluble man. Perhaps it was
for the sake of his children, he thought. There must be something
fine about a man who had brought up two such children--but that was
not all; the Vicar was enthusiastic; he revelled in life, he adored
life; and Howard felt that there was a real fund of sense and even
judgment somewhere, behind the spray of the cataract. He was a man
whom one could trust, he believed, and whom it was impossible not
to like.
When they reached the drawing-room, Mrs. Graves called the Vicar
into a corner, and began to talk to him about someone in the
village; Howard heard his talk plunge steadily into the silence.
Miss Merry flitted about, played a few pieces of music; and Howard
found himself left to Maud. He went and sate down beside her. In
the dim light the girl sate forward in a big arm-chair; there was
nothing languorous or listless about her.
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