"All is divinely ordained," repeated Mr. Sparrow piously, "we must not murmur. I regard Mrs. Trevel as a most impious person for daring to rebel when her prayers are not answered."
"I told her that," said his wife, "and she only laughed."
"Bitterly, I expect," murmured Montrose; "poor soul, I shall give her some money in the morning."
"No, don't," said Mr. Sparrow. "It will only confirm her in disbelief."
"On the contrary it will restore her faith," remarked the Squire coolly, "as it will show that her prayers are answered after all."
Mr. Sparrow had nothing to say after this, although he greatly longed to preach a sermon to those present. But not being in the pulpit he feared lest his statements should be contradicted by these ribald people. Therefore he wisely held his tongue on religious subjects for the rest of the evening. On the way home, however, he made one scathing remark to his wife.
"They are all atheists, Jane. Just the kind I expected to find under the roof of a man who does not come to church."