"That's tied round the neck of every crime and immorality in the world's history."
Jack looked up with the first sign of interest that his face had shewn.
"You really think that would be a crime? I've come to you for your opinion. A crime against Barbara?"
"Against yourself. I don't think it would affect her. Do you know anything about the course of preparation before you're received into the Church? You'll have to tell one lie after another, weeks and weeks of them. And, when you've been received, you'll have to continue. D'you propose to go regularly to Mass? Will you go to Confession?"
Barbara's reputation for laxity was widely known and disapproved.
"I'll do whatever my wife does," Jack promised.
Though he pretended to keep an open mind, he was inviting criticism only for the satisfaction of demolishing it. Loring was still shocked and doubly shocked that he could make no impression on his friend's stubborn insensibility.
"Have you discussed it with your people?" he asked.
"I've discussed it with no one. It'll be hell for them, of course."
"They won't be taken in."