"But—but——" Paul found it hard to put his new thought into words.
"Well, Paul, laddie, out with it."
"Well, dad, I don't see how that could have made him fit for heaven."
His father's hand tightened on his arm. "Nor I, Paul, nor any man. But do you suppose that God will go back on His pledged and written Word?"
And then, just then, a memory had shot through Paul's mind. "Which of the ten score different versions?" Manning had queried again, coolly.
CHAPTER IV
FATHER VASSALL
God, if there be any God, speaks daily in a new language, by the tongues of men; the thoughts and habits of each fresh generation and each new-coined spirit throw another light upon the universe, and contain another commentary on the printed Bibles; every scruple, every true dissent, every glimpse of something new, is a letter of God's alphabet; and though there is a grave responsibility for all who speak, is there none for those who unrighteously keep silence and conform? Is not that also to conceal and cloak God's counsel?—ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON: Lay Morals.
(1)
Mr. Tressor had not yet returned from lecturing, the man said in response to Paul's knock, but he had left word that he would not be more than a few minutes late. Would Mr. Kestern come in? Mr. Manning was also coming to luncheon.