A hush like death fell on the vestry. The Reverend Smith Boyd was the first to break the ghastly silence.
“Gentlemen,” said he, “I do not think that we are in a mood to-day for further discussion. I suggest that we adjourn.”
His voice seemed to distract the attention of Clark from Manning, at whom he had been glowering. He turned on the Reverend Smith Boyd the remainder of the wrath which marked his first break into senility.
“As for you!” he snarled, “you will keep your fingers out of matters which do not concern you! You were hired to preach the gospel, and you will confine your attention to that occupation, preaching just what you find sanctioned in this book; nothing more, nothing less!” and taking a small volume which lay on the table, he tossed it in front of the Reverend Smith Boyd.
It was the Book of Common Prayer, containing, in the last pages, the Articles of Faith.
Clark seized his hat and coat, and strode out of the door, followed by the red-faced Chisholm, who had also been asked to resign. Nicholas Van Ploon rose, and shook hands with the Reverend Smith Boyd.
“Sargent has told me about your plan for the new tenements,” he stated. “I am in favour of buying the property.”
“We’ll swing it for you, Boyd,” promised Jim Sargent. “I’ve been talking with some of the other members, and they seem to favour the idea that the new Vedder Court will be a great monument. There’ll be no such magnificent charity in the world, and no such impressive sacrifice as giving up that cathedral! I think Cunningham will be with us, when it comes to a vote.”
“Certainly,” interposed Nicholas Van Ploon. “We don’t need to make any profit from those tenements. The normal increase in ground value will be enough.”
“Yes,” said Cunningham slowly. “I am heartily in favour of the proposition.”