Harold
Smith, descending from poetry to prose as a lecturer well knows how,
and thereby showing the value of both--"for any material progress in
these islands; and--"
"And to Christianity," shouted Mrs. Proudie, to the great amazement
of the assembled people, and to the thorough wakening of the bishop,
who, jumping up in his chair at the sound of the well-known voice,
exclaimed, "Certainly, certainly."
"Hear, hear, hear," said those on the benches who particularly
belonged to Mrs. Proudie's school of divinity in the city, and among
the voices was distinctly heard that of a new verger in whose behalf
she had greatly interested herself.
"Oh, yes, Christianity of course," said Harold Smith, upon whom the
interruption did not seem to operate favourably.
"Christianity and Sabbath-day observance," exclaimed Mrs. Proudie,
who, now that she had obtained the ear of the public, seemed well
inclined to keep it. "Let us never forget that these islanders can
never prosper unless they keep the Sabbath holy." Poor Mr. Smith,
having been so rudely dragged from his high horse, was never able
to mount it again, and completed the lecture in a manner not at all
comfortable to himself. He had there, on the table before him, a huge
bundle of statistics, with which he had meant to convince the reason
of his hearers, after he had taken full possession of their feelings.
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