As neither of the men took wine they did not stay behind; and May, who was clever enough to see that they were both ready to show fight for their individual opinions, engaged Paul in conversation, whilst Mr. Curzon carried off Sally to see the bowling-green by moonlight.
"I never saw anything so quaintly pretty," Sally said. "The yew hedge with its succession of views suits it exactly."
"Yes, doesn't it?" replied her companion. "This is naturally my favourite;" and he paused at the opening where, below, the church stood out grand and stately against the evening sky. "Is it not a grand old tower? It stands just as a church should; it dominates the place."
The ring of enthusiasm in his voice brought an answering thrill into Sally's heart.
"Are you sure that it does really?" she asked, moved by a sudden impulse.
"I hope so; I pray God it may be so. If not in my time then in another's."
CHAPTER V.
A QUESTION OF EDUCATION.
"I can't think why you, or any reasonable man, should object to a board school?" said Paul, who had been expounding his views at some length to the rector. "The people should have a voice in the matter of their children's education; and it can't be fair that any particular system of religion should be forced upon them. In a place like this you would be pretty certain to come out at the head of the poll, and, if religious teaching seems such an essential, you would be allowed to give it with limitations."