“To know ‘something’ isn’t sufficient; you must know everything.”
“Tell me, then. What should I do?”
“First, be sure that you are thoroughly in earnest; then you must undergo instruction.”
Delia’s face brightened.
“I will,” she said. “But—tell me how.”
“There is a mission in Bassingham. Go and consult the priest there.”
Delia tried all she knew to keep her face from falling. She had hoped, in her ignorance, that Wagram would have accepted the post of instructor.
“Father Sonnenbloem!” she said. “But, he’s a German.”
“Well, what then? My dear child, the Catholic Church is the Church of the World, and is above nationality in that it embraces all nations—hence its name. As it happens, Father Sonnenbloem is one of the most kind-hearted and saintly men who ever lived. He is learned, too. If you are in earnest you could go to no one better.”
Delia declared that she would; and, the rain having ceased, they went forth just as a bright shaft of sunlight, darting through the cloud, which it was fast dispelling, converted the rain drippings from the leaves into a shower of glittering diamonds, and the moist, ferny, woodland scents after the shower were delicious.