"He was not three days old when he was baptised."
"Of course. He could not have gone to heaven if he had not been baptised."
"Ned, I don't think it kind of you to say these things to me. You never used to say them."
"I am sorry, Ellen; I'll say no more, and I'm glad it was Father Stafford who baptised him. He is the most sensible priest we have. If all the clergy were like him I should find it easier to believe."
"But religion has nothing to do with the clergy. It is quite possible to think the clergy foolish and yet to believe that the religion is the true one."
"I like the clergy far better than their religion, and believe them to be worthy of a better one. I like Father Stafford, and you like having a priest to dinner. Let us ask him."
"I'm afraid, Ned, that Father Stafford is getting old. He rarely leaves the house now and Father Maguire does all the work of the parish."
She liked clerical gossip; the church was finished, and how Biddy heard the saints singing in the window made a fine tale.
"So now we have a local saint."
"Yes, and miracles!"