The Priest and the Acolyte / With an Introductory Protest by Stuart Mason

by John Francis Bloxam

I think it violated every artistic canon of beauty.

[17] That is not an answer.

It is the only one I can give.

I want you to see the position you pose in.

I do not think you should say that.

I have said nothing out of the way. I wish to know whether you thought the story blasphemous.

The story filled me with disgust.

Answer the question, sir. Did you, or did you not, consider the story blasphemous?

I did not consider the story blasphemous.

I am satisfied with that. You know that when the priest in the story administers poison to the boy he uses the words of the [18] ]Sacrament of the Church of England?