"I don't know in the least. All I want is to get it as soon as possible. I shall not be happy till Old Maxham has a lifeboat. The thing is an absolute necessity."
"And you expect this village to supply you with hundreds of pounds!"
"No, I don't; but Old Maxham must give its share. And so must New Maxham, and all the country round. When I have collected a certain amount, I shall apply to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and see whether they would be able to meet us half-way. Of course, if somebody would give a large round sum down, that would make all easy; but at the present moment, it does not seem likely. We can only do our best in the matter."
"Which means that you will wear yourself to a thread-paper, rushing after an impossibility."
"I don't admit the word 'impossibility' into my dictionary. If the thing ought to be done, it can be done. I mean to have that lifeboat sooner or later."
"And a house to hold it."
"Just so. And a carriage to carry it, and a crew to work it."
"And suppose you cannot find a crew?"
"I'm not afraid. While England is England, and while Englishmen are Englishmen, there will be no lack of men to work the boat—when once the boat is here."
On the very first Sunday after his return the Vicar gave out, in the course of his morning's sermon, his intention of starting forthwith a "subscription list" for the purchase of a lifeboat.