The Professor's tone, as he commented on his colleagues' remarks, was a little grim.
'What my friends say is, no doubt, very excellent in its way; but the main point still is--Will you come with us? If so, here is a conveyance. You have only to jump in at once, and we shall be in time to catch a fast train back to town. My strong advice to you is, Be practical, and come.'
'Suffer Me to go My way.'
'Is that your answer? Remember that history records how, on a previous occasion, a great opportunity was frittered away for lack of a little business acumen. There can be no doubt that the great need of the hour is a practical religion. It is quite within the range of possibility that you might go far towards placing such a propaganda on a solid basis. Consider, therefore; before you treat our offer with contempt.'
He made no answer, but went along the road, with the lame man at His side.
For some seconds the deputation stood staring after Him. Then the Professor gave expression to his feelings in these words:
'An impracticable person.'
The Rev. Martin Philipps had something to say on this curt summing up of the position.
'I think, Professor, that what you call practicality is likely to be your stumbling-block. In your sense, God is not always practical.'
'In a country of practical men that is unfortunate.'