“I think that the tallest date-palms that I ever saw were by the temple of Máta Devi,” said he. “Of course you have been to the place,” he continued, addressing himself to Harold. “There is a most curious idol, of great antiquity, with jewels for eyes.”
“I have been to the place on a preaching tour,” replied the young missionary; “but I did not see the idol, for I did not enter the temple.”
“Would not the Hindus admit you?” said the Sahib.
“Not unless I took off my shoes.”
“And why not take off your shoes?” said the commissioner, who held what he considered to be very liberal views. “It is a mere matter of form.”
“Neither as missionary nor as Englishman could I pay any mark of respect to an idol,” was Harold’s reply.
“Oh! I suppose that missionaries have a code of their own,” observed Mr. Thole, with the slightest possible shrug of his broad shoulders; “but I may be supposed to know as well as even the youngest of them what befits an Englishman. We Government servants, whilst we are bound to pay no respect to persons, are also pledged to pay due respect to all religions. I should think no more of taking off my shoes in a temple than I should of taking off my hat in a church. Had we lived in the days when the goddess Yoyyathal was said to be wedded to the Indian Government, I might have been bound to carry the bridal gift; and being an official, the act would have done me as little harm as receiving the Kashmir shawl did good to the idol. Do you not see that?” added the commissioner, still addressing himself to Harold.
“I do not see it, sir,” said the young clergyman, a flush rising to his cheek. “There are many officials, both civilians and military officers, who do not think that duty to Government supersedes duty to God.”
The commissioner looked somewhat offended, and turning towards the elder missionary, directed his speech to him, as if Harold, for presuming to give an independent opinion, had forfeited any claim to further notice. “Do you know, Mr. Hartley, any well-authenticated instance of an official going straight against Government orders on account of some religious scruple of his own?”
“The most striking instance which occurs to me is that of a man who resigned ten thousand pounds per annum rather than violate conscience,” was the quiet reply.