"It annoys you that his God is too big for any church. The Lamptons have always been ardent upholders of the Established Church of England."
"Let him enlarge his church, build his God a bigger one."
"That's just what he has done, that's just what he says the Protestant church has failed to do. Their church has never expanded. People's minds have grown, while the Church of England—and, in fact, all churches—have stood still."
"Michael can't do things in moderation—he's just an enthusiast about his religion, as he has been about all his phases."
"The best of all things! What were your Luthers, your Cromwells, and St. Francis?" Meg paused. Her voice fell. "And Our Lord? Weren't they enthusiasts? Did they take things moderately? Does moderation ever achieve anything? Napoleon said no country was ever conquered by half methods."
"Mike's enthusiasm is only theoretical. If he has done this thing, his new religion allows him too much latitude. He'd much better have stuck to our plain ancestor-worship."
"But he hasn't done it! You know he hasn't. Don't go over it again.
That detestable woman met him and trapped him."
"And tempted him? The old, old story—the world's first romance—'the woman tempted me and I fell.'"
Meg's tears had dried very quickly. She was strong again. "I don't see how you can speak like that. You told me that Michael was straight as a die—you know you did."
"But I said he was weak—I told you that, too, didn't I?"