"He is a right earnest man," said the Deacon. "I think he was the first spark we have seen in the ashes of our prayer meeting for many a day."
"Can't you get him to come down, Mr. Laicus?" asked Mr. Wheaton.
I shook my head resolutely.
"Not as a candidate you know, but on some dodge or other. Invite him to spend a week with you, and book on to him for the pulpit when Sunday comes."
"He isn't the man for dodges," said the Deacon, doubtfully.
I shook my head as decidedly to the second proposition as to the first.
"Well then," said Mr. Wheaton, "if he won't come here we will have to go there. It isn't far."
The Deacon doubted whether the church would agree to deviate from the old paths.
"They wouldn't have done it," said Mr. Wheaton. "But they'll agree to anything now I think."
"Mr. Gear recommended that plan when we first met," said I. "He will approve of it. But how as to Mr. Hardcap?"