"I'm not a member of this respected body, but I seem to be included in the chairman's invitation. I profess to be a man of the world—I've been around a good deal—and I never could see that the poor in spirit amounted to a row of pins. If they're fit for heaven they ought to be fit for something on this side of that undiscovered locality."
"Discovered millions upon millions of times, bless the Lord," interrupted Squire Woodhouse.
"Well, the discoverers sent no word back, at any rate," said young Mr. Banty, "so there's one view which I think ought to be considered; isn't it possible that Jesus was mistaken?"
Mr. Prymm turned pale and Deacon Bates shivered violently, while a low hum and a general shaking of heads showed the unpopularity of young Mr. Banty's idea.
"The class cannot entertain such a theory for an instant," answered Deacon Bates, as soon as he could recover his breath, "though it encourages the freest expression of opinion."
"Oh!" remarked Mr. Banty, with a derisive smile. The tone in which this interjection was delivered put the class upon its spirit at once.
"Our leader means exactly what he says," said Mr. Jodderel; "any honest expression of opinion is welcome here."
"If such were not the case," said Mr. Prymm, "a rival class would not have been formed."
"And none of us would have learned how many sides there are to a great question," said Mr. Buffle.