"Then the Lord help you," said Thomas. "We'd better be going, Eliza. We've heard almost enough for one evening."
"Be reasonable," urged Miss Masterman with admirable self-command. "We are here to do our duty. We hope and expect to be helped by all sensible people—not hindered. Let Mr. Gollop tell us what he came to tell us."
"Well—as to reason—I ask no more, but where is it?" murmured Thomas. "'Twas the Baskervilles," he continued, wiping his forehead. "The other of 'em—Nathan—be unfortunately a chapel member; and if you be going to play these here May games in the House of the Lord, I'm very much afeared he'll draw a good few after him. They won't stand it—mark me."
"Where do the people at Undershaugh worship? I did not see Mrs. Lintern and her family last Sunday."
"They'm all chapel too."
Mr. Masterman nodded.
"Thank you for these various facts. Is there anything more?"
"I've only just begun. But I comed with warnings chiefly. There be six Radicals in this parish, and only six."
"Though the Lord knows how many there will be when they hear about the choir," said Eliza Gollop.
"I'm an old-fashioned Liberal myself," declared the vicar. "But I hope your Radicals are sound churchmen, whatever else they may be."