"But the minister! he must be paid," said Flora.
"Yes, and I am not for starving a minister, either," said Mr. Murray. "But what is Meredith to do with his income, Miss Flora?"
"That's just what I want to know," remarked Meredith in an undertone; while Flora answered with some irritation—
"He can let it accumulate till he has made up his mind."
"'Riches kept for the owners of them, to their hurt,'" said Mr. Murray. "Better not, Miss Flora. Remember, Meredith is only a steward. 'The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' saith the Lord of hosts."
"Do you mean, Mr. Murray, that we cannot do what we like with our money?"
"You can do what you like with it, certainly."
"But I mean, isn't it right for us to do what we like with it?"
"I should like to do that," murmured Meredith.
"Miss Flora, the question is, rightly stated,—May a steward use his lord's money for his own or his lord's pleasure?"