But muscular Christianity, losing its head, came off with a black eye.

After that the Buttons were left alone, and no friendly hand drew Paul within the gates of his Sunday Paradise.

He thought of it with aching wistfulness.

The only thing that the superintendent could do was to give him surreptitiously a prayer-book, bidding him perfect himself in the Catechism in view of future Confirmation.

But, as emulation of his fellows and not religious zeal was the mainspring of Paul's enthusiasm, the pious behest was disregarded.