As he entered the house, Nancy met him.

"Do go and be host to those men. It's our day for the Ministers'
Meeting," she continued, as he looked puzzled, "and just as they sat
down Allan was called out to one of his people who is sick. Now run like
a good boy and 'tend to them."

So it came that, while the impulse was still strong upon him, he went in
among the dozen amiable, feeding gentlemen who were not indisposed to
listen to whomsoever might talk--if he did not bore--which is how it
befell that they had presently cause to remark him.

Not at first, for he mumbled hesitatingly, without authority of manner
or point to his words, but the phrase, "the fundamental defect of the
Christian religion" caused even the Unitarian to gasp over his glass of
mineral water. His green eyes glittered pleasantly upon Bernal from his
dark face with its scraggly beard.

"That's it, Mr. Linford--tell us that--we need to know that--do we not,
gentlemen?"

"Speak for yourself, Whittaker," snapped the aggressive little Baptist,
"but doubtless Mr. Linford has something to say."

Bernal remained unperturbed by this. Very earnestly he continued:
"Christianity is defective, judged even by poor human standards; untrue
by the plain facts of human consciousness."

"Ah! Now we shall learn!" Father Riley turned his most gracious smile