"No? But that can very soon be remedied."
"It is my turn to ask 'How?'" said Anstice wistfully.
"Did I not make it clear?"
"Yes, in a way you did. But belief and faith have been with me from a child. I believe everything."
"Men can believe in a general, a leader; but they never get near him until they come to him and give themselves up to him as his fighters and followers. Perhaps you may never have enlisted—dedicated yourself, shall I say, to His Service? In Baptism and Confirmation you have had the opportunity, but I have known many pass through those times, and still be very far away."
A flash of enlightenment came to Anstice.
"I don't believe I have ever done that," she said.
"It was what the young ruler lacked," said Mr. Bolland. "His life was outwardly blameless, but he could not bring himself to cast in his lot with the Master and follow Him to the death."
Mr. Bolland said little more. He was a man of few words out of the pulpit, and Anstice wanted no more from him.
When their ways parted, she walked on by herself, and when she came to her gate she turned down across the park towards the lake. Here she sat down on a low seat by the boathouse and looked out across the shining water. With hands clasped loosely round her knees, her thoughts and resolves were wafted beyond the earth.