“Are they, indeed!” said the bishop, opening his eyes wide, and assuming a look of intense interest.
“And the most intelligent people.”
“Dear me!” said the bishop.
“All they want is guidance, encouragement, instruction—”
“And Christianity,” suggested the bishop.
“And Christianity, of course,” said Mr. Smith, remembering that he was speaking to a dignitary of the Church. It was well to humour such people, Mr. Smith thought. But the Christianity was to be done in the Sunday sermon, and was not part of his work.
“And how do you intend to begin with them?” asked Mr. Supplehouse, the business of whose life it had been to suggest difficulties.
“Begin with them—oh—why—it’s very easy to begin with them. The difficulty is to go on with them, after the money is all spent. We’ll begin by explaining to them the benefits of civilization.”
“Capital plan!” said Mr. Supplehouse. “But how do you set about it, Smith?”
“How do we set about it? How did we set about it with Australia and America? It is very easy to criticize; but in such matters the great thing is to put one’s shoulder to the wheel.”