"It doesn't go with Veale, however," confessed Jacob.
"But if they're not named, they're not baptized!" exclaimed Margery.
"They are not," admitted their father, "and none the worse so far as I know."
"They're not Christians then—oh, Benny!"
"No more ain't I," answered the warrener. "It's no good pretending nothing. No man can breathe a word against me, but I've not got religion and never felt the want of it. More haven't Sally."
His wife contradicted him, declaring that she had always gone to church in her maiden days; and Margery was too troubled to speak.
"Duty's duty and I do it; and if ever I've got time, I'll go into religion also," explained Benny; "but so far time's lacked."
"You must have them baptized whatever you believe, or don't believe," declared Jacob. "You can't let your sons be nameless and outside the pale. That's wrong, Veale, and I hope you'll mend it."
"Don't think I've got anything against religion," replied the other. "It shall be done, if you reckon it ought, Mr. Bullstone. And I'll name one, and my wife shall have her way with the other."
"Haven't you heard about original sin?" asked Margery.