Mallard watched and listened to her with a smile.
"Well," he said, soberly, "I suppose this only applies to the most foolish among them. However, I see that you can hardly be expected to build them a chapel. Let us think a moment.—Are there any public baths in Bartles?"
"There were none when I lived there."
"The proverb says that after godliness comes cleanliness. Why should you not devote to the establishing of decent baths what you meant to set apart for the chapel? How does it strike you?"
She delayed a moment; then—
"I like the suggestion."
"Do you know any impartial man there with whom you could communicate on such a subject?"
"I think so."
"Then suppose you do it as soon as possible?"
"I will."