way. We had our own places of worship; but, for the rest, both
desiring the one thing--the Christian living of the folk in our
district--we worked absolutely shoulder to shoulder. There were a few
worthy folk who objected; but when Reynolds and I came to talk it over,
we decided that these had as much religion as was good for them already,
and that we could afford rather to ignore them, if by joint working we
could rope in the folk who had next to none at all---- You must forgive
my slang, Miss Grey."

Constance smiled across at the parson.

"You forget, Mr. Stairs, I grew up on the veld," she said.

"Ah, to be sure; I suppose one is as close to the earth and the
realities there as in Canada."

"Quite," said Crondall. "And, anyhow, we are not doing any apologies
to-day; so please go ahead."

"Well," continued George Stairs, "we often talked over Old Country
affairs, Reynolds and I. Reynolds had only spent three months over here
in his life, but I fancy I learned more from him than he from me."

"That's a mistake, of course," said Reynolds. "He had the facts and the
knowledge. I merely supplied a fresh point of view--home-grown
Canadian."

"Ah, well, we found ourselves very much in agreement, anyhow, about Home
affairs and about the position of the Anglican Church in Canada; the
need there is for less exclusiveness and more direct methods. The idea
of coming Home and preaching through England, a kind of pilgrimage--that
was entirely Reynolds's own. I would have come with him gladly, when we
had our district in good going order out there. But, you see, I had no
money. My friend had a little. Then my father died. He had been ailing
for a long time, and I verily think the news of the invasion broke his
heart. He died in the same week that it reached him, and left his two
farms, with some small house property, to me.

"My father's death meant for me a considerable break. The news from
England shocked me inexpressibly. It was such a terrible realization of
the very fears that Reynolds and myself had so often discussed--the
climax and penalty of England's mad disregard of duty; of every other
consideration except pleasure, easy living, comfort, and money-making."

"This is the pivot of the whole business, that duty question,"
interposed Crondall. "It was your handling of that on Tuesday that
burdened you with my acquaintance. I listened to that, and I said, 'Mr.
George Stairs and you have got to meet, John Crondall!'