We draw breath,
but the relief is only momentary. "Side Lights on the Reformation," by
a Canon. "Half-hours with the Young," by a Rural Dean.
But as an invalid will rebel against a long course of milk puddings, and
will crave for the jam roll which is for others, so Mr. Gresley's mind
revolted from St. Augustine, and craved for something different.
His wandering eye fell on Hester's book.
"I can't attend to graver things to-night," he said, "I will take a look
at Hester's story. I showed her my paper on "Dissent," so, of course, I
can dip into her book. I hate lopsided confidences, and I dare say I
could give her a few hints, as she did me. Two heads are better than
one. The Pratts and Thursbys all think that bit in _The Idyll_ where the
two men quarrelled was dictated by me. Strictly speaking, it wasn't, but
no doubt she picked up her knowledge of men, which surprises people so
much, from things she has heard me say. She certainly did not want me to
read her book. She said I should not like it. But I shall have to read
it some time, so I may as well skim it before it goes to the printers. I
have always told her I did not feel free from responsibility in the
matter after _The Idyll_ appeared with things in it which I should have
made a point of cutting out, if she had only consulted me before she
rushed into print.
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