“Now, don’t you go to crossing any bridges till you get to ’em. The Lord will provide when the time comes.”
“Cal’late He might, but I’ve always noticed that it’s safer to help Him a mite on the perviding question.”
“Well, ain’t you helping? You’re doing the janitor work at the church, and that helps some. And, then, you’ll get a ship one of these days, mark my word. Mr. Fox said as much to Harry just the other day.”
“I ain’t so sure of that, Eadie,” remarked the Captain doubtfully. It was reasonably clear to his mind that the Elder had a fish to fry in thus starting reports of his willingness to secure a command for the Captain, and it was also reasonably clear that sooner or later he would catch a whiff of the frying fat which would indicate the breed of that fish. Till then, the Captain must be content to wait.
“By the way, Josiah, have you heard that the day has been all set for the installation 32 service?” asked Mrs. Beaver. “Mr. Fox is arranging it, and it’s going to be a great time.”
“What are they aiming to do?”
“Why, don’t you know? An installation service is a meeting where all the ministers of other towns come in and say nice things about our minister. Elder Fox says this one will be a special one, because some one has said that Mr. McGowan ain’t sound in church doctrine, being as he graduated from what is called a ‘New Theology’ school. Mr. Fox says he’s going to prove that ain’t so.”
“What’s all that got to do with him being a man?”
“I guess it ain’t got much to do with that. But you know there is a difference between being just a man and being a real minister.”
The Captain looked at her oddly. “And they’re planning to change him from one to the other, is that the idea?”