“Pooh, father! You are only fifty-two. But, tell me, did you not at one time think of writing a commentary on the Gospels?”
“Yes, Guy; but my sermon writing takes all my time.”
“Then why not apply to the parish to give you a young man as a colleague?”
“The parish cannot afford to pay two salaries.”
“Then you might offer to serve as senior pastor without salary.”
“But, Guy, how am I to live?”
“What salary does the parish pay you now?”
“A thousand dollars.”
“Very well, father, ask for an assistant, and I will pay you twelve hundred dollars a year.”
“I suppose you are joking, Guy.”