"Bother the parish!" said Gwen.
"No, no, you must not say that. I don't think you quite realise that a clergyman's life is quite different to that of other people. You would not approve of a doctor neglecting his patients for pleasure. Well a clergyman is a physician of souls. And after all souls are more important than bodies."
"I don't know anything about souls," said Gwen.
"Of course you do, don't talk nonsense."
"No, I don't. I don't think I am sure that we have souls. But I am not peculiar in this. The papers and books are full of doubts of all sorts."
"But my dear child, why do you read such books? We want to build ourselves up in our most holy faith, and not to read all the views on the other side. How do you see these books?"
"I find them in the library. Sometimes I wish I had not read them, but you know I read everything I can get hold of."
Rachel made up her mind to ask Luke to have a talk with Gwen. She was very distressed at what she told her.
"Luke says that we must not be surprised at all the doubts and strange theories that are about just now, as he believes we are living in the last days and must expect the devil to be extra busy. I am sure he is right."
"Don't let us talk of the last days," said Gwen, "but enjoy the country while we have a chance. You must pine for it in that horrid place."