Where the Blue Begins

ply was disappo

s Rectory, S

R MR.

mily, as you have, and whose record (even on the most charitable interpretation) cannot be described as other than eccentric, would be useful in Holy Orders. You say that your life in the city has been a great purgation. If so, I suggest that you return and take up

truly

VER P

fee mixed with condensed milk. Mrs. Purp had made concession to his peculiarities when he had risen so high in the world: better to break any rules

it as a kind of private oracle, with a calm voice of its own. He listened attentively as he waited for the liquid to da

er, with the engraved lettering and Office of the General Manager embossed thereon. He was in some doubt as to the proper formality and style of address in communicating with a Bishop:

REVEREND BI

Bis

ss matters pertaining to religion, theology, and a possible vacancy in the Church? If there are any

tfully

GISS

Bishop's secretary gra

more absurd, idea troubled him. One of the problems in visiting the houses of the Great (he had learned in his brief career in Big Business) is to find the door-bell. It is usually mysteriously concealed. Suppose he should have to peer hopelessly about the vestibule, in

like a ship on a long ridge of sea. The angel with a trumpet on the jut of the roof was like a valiant seaman in the crow's nest. His agitation was calmed by this no

ble. He rang, and presently came a tidy little housemaid. He had meditated a form of words. It would be absurd to say "

tall and slender, with long, narrow ascetic face

I know Beagle and Company very well. Too wel

, had no comment ready. He was still worryin

e late Mr. Beagle on the subject of a small contribution to the cathedral. Indeed, I have spent so much in your store that it would be onl

rhaps been misunderstood, but the prelate's eyes were bri

ed there is a niche in the transept that I should be happy to see filled. It is inten

"that I have left Beagle and Company. The contribution I wish to

ied the Bishop,

"I-in fact, I am hoping

ong, aristocratic nose seemed longer tha

any formal train

" and, incoherently at first, but with increasing energy and cop

ly have something which is much rarer-what the Quakers call a CONCERN. Of course you should really go to the theological seminary and establish this naif intuitive mysticism upon a disciplined basis. Yo

lly admitted

Bishop. "Of course a symbological latitude is permissible, but the

that, in a calmer moment, he would hardly have admitted; but having plunged so deep into the affair he felt it would be the height of discourtesy to

e greatly. Of course I cannot admit you to ordination until you have passed through the reg

ng the candidate with a

to be subjected to your own sense or comment, but must be taken in the literal and grammatical meaning. However, you show outward and visible signs of an inward and

ace showed

a cassock?

must remember you have not been ordained. If you are serious in your

hich looks very well in the aperture of the waistcoat," said

had a sense of humo

car and we'll drive out to Dalmatian Heights. I'll show you

as only a few miles from the Canine Estat

nworthy. Now about those Articles of Religion: I may perhaps have given some of

forward to a ride into the co

You will have to read the lessons, conduct the service, and may address the congregation upon matters not homiletic nor doctrinal; preaching and actual entry into the pulpit

vel-hat, and led the way

of ecstasy at the countryside, and talked gaily about his days as a young curate. Gissing sat holding his hat on. He saw only too well that, by the humiliating oddity of chance, they were going to take the road that led exactly past his own house. He could

s used to attend what I will now call YOUR chapel; she is a very ardent churchgoer, and it was a sincere grief to her when the place had to be closed. You will find her a great

hich it was still possible to avoid the fat

know that road down into the valley? The view is r

meward way. With a tender emotion Gissing saw the spires of the poplar trees, the hemlocks do

he road. There they were-Bunks, Groups, and Yelpers (inordinately grown!) and two of the Spaniels. Their clothes were deplorable, their faces grimed, their legs covered with burrs, their whole demeanour was ragamuffin and wild: yet Gissing felt

ried Yelpers

alarm down from the house, spilling potatoes from her ap

heir stare. "Really, my good sister," he said to Mrs. Spaniel, who was now pantin

great relief he heard the roar of the motor as they started again. But he sa

shouting at us?" inquired

head. He was too