Now, I don't find it impossible to understand my father, when he reconciles science with religion; he was born sixty years ago.

But Godwin Peak as a--a--' 'Parson,' supplied Peak, drily.
'Yes, as a parson--I shall have to meditate much before I grasp the notion.' 'Perhaps you have dropped your philosophical studies ?' said Godwin, with a smile of courteous interest.
'I don't know.

Metaphysics have no great interest for me, but I philosophise in a way.

I thought myself a student of human nature, at all events.' 'But you haven't kept up with philosophical speculation on the points involved in orthodox religion ?' 'I confess my ignorance of everything of the kind--unless you include Bishop Blougram among the philosophers ?' Godwin bore the gaze which accompanied this significant inquiry.

For a moment he smiled, but there followed an expression of gravity touched with pain.
'I hadn't thought of broaching this matter,' he said, with slow utterance, but still in a tone of perfect friendliness.