"But she won't, John."
"Won't? Why not?"
"Because you're her ideal and you don't join. You are her stumbling block," she added more courageously.
Her brother looked thoughtfully into the fire.
"I am her ideal? Some joke! I'm no better than the next one!"
"In her eyes, you are, dear. I don't like to criticize you, John, but you have managed Dr. Hansom's business affairs of the Church for years, sat every Sunday in your pew, and yet haven't joined the Church. Don't you think it's about time you did?"
"No and yes, Emily! I think I prefer staying out of it. I'm paid for my services. That's simply business. I've often told you the Church to me is a fine religious organization—nothing more. I help it along, don't I? I'm no more a Congregationalist than I am Methodist, Presbyterian or any other Church follower."
"Yes, John, but Dr. Hansom is so broad. You can believe almost anything and yet be admitted to his Church."
Her brother laughed.
"Now you've hit it just right. And the churches that are not so broad are so narrow that you get completely cramped inside their portals!"