“‘The language of flowers I know not,
But pansies speak to me
Of hope for earth-born toilers,
In time and eternity.’
Gentlemen, will you wear my heart’s-ease?”
The words were simple, but the tone was full of meaning. Instinctively all felt that the climax of the evening had been reached, the closing word been spoken; and each one, silently accepting a blossom and exchanging a cordial pressure with the hand that bestowed it, with only a murmured “Good-night,” left the room. Not the least cordial pressure was that which came from the hand of Pastor Schaefer.
CHAPTER IV.
VÆ VICTIS.
Twelve months have passed since the “tea-party,” during which time, it is to be feared, Mr. Clare has had cause to think more than once how the pikes and eels preferred the old way. And yet he wears by no means a discouraged expression as he walks with his constant companion, Louis Metzerott, through the early August twilight, towards Dr. Richards’s house. Something has been accomplished during this year, however little. Pastor Schaefer sometimes holds consultation with him, though usually not as the taker of what counsel is produced thereat; the rector of St. Andrew’s, though he is “not to be expected to turn Socialist at his time of life,” is slowly learning that God is the King of earth as well as of heaven; and that, whatever blessing or needed lesson may come by means of suffering, happiness is that which is most consonant with the divine nature. The temperance lecturer has taken to denouncing the weakness of the present civil authorities in the license question rather as a misfortune than a fault; and the evangelist launches satire and invective against the greed of money, and the evils of “practical politics:” all which are steps in the right direction.
“But ye’ll never do it, Ernest, me boy,” Father McClosky had said shortly after the “tea-party;” “ye’ll never get any of the sects nor Holy Church nayther for your ‘general advance all along the line.’ Av there was nothing else to prevent it, I’ll tell ye phwat would,—vested interests. Think of the churches, schools, convents, hospitals, and all them things; would we ever let them fall into the hands of heretics?”
“The question is, whether you can help it,” said Mr. Clare. “I see the force of your remark, Bryan; but don’t you think the churches”—