AWAY!
[CHAPTER XIX.]
A WALK WITH SIGNOR REGNIATI.
THE PROSAIC GENTLEMAN.
Weather fine. We are out for a walk. Mr. Orby Frimmely, of the City, represents the Prosaic. I put myself down as the Poetic, and the Signor as the Enthusiastic. To us a small man in clerical black and Roman collar.
The Signor (saluting cleric). Ah, Father Cuthbert. 'Ow you do? (Introduces us.) You 'ave got beautiful flowers.
Father C. (alluding to the bunch in his hand). Flores martyrum. You have heard that we are ordered off for active service in China.
Self. China! (We see in our “mind's eye, Horatio” the fearful tortures recently practised upon Christians in China and are speechless.)
Frimmely (the Prosaic). Ah! You must take care what you're about there. (Surprise of the Reverend F. Cuthbert.) The Government won't protect you, you know (he says this as if the reverend gentleman was going to China to rob an orchard).
Father C. No. It will not. (Nobly.) We go to suffer and to preach the faith.