“Granted, good Dux; if it would save a man; but how is it possible? it is contrary to the first elements of science.”
“What matter does that make, provided it holds a man up?”
“Friend Dux, thou art obtuse.”
“Well, perhaps I am, as I don’t know what that is.”
“But, father, don’t you recollect,” interrupted Tom, “what the parson said last Sunday, that faith saved men? Now, Master Dominie, may it not be faith that a man has in the caul which may save him?”
“Young Tom, thou art astute.”
“Well, perhaps I am, as father said, for I don’t know what that is. You knock us all down with your dictionary.”
“Well I do love to hear people make use of such hard words,” said Mary, looking at the Dominie. “How very clever you must be, sir! I wonder whether I shall ever understand them?”
“Nay, if thou wilt, I will initiate—sweet maiden, wilt steal an hour or so to impregnate thy mind with the seeds of learning, which, in so fair a soil, must needs bring forth good fruit!”
“That’s a fine word, that impregnate—will you give us the English of it, sir?” said young Tom to the Dominie.