The offices in the two capitals may have consisted--and probably did--of one room in each; but at that distance, out East there, all this had an air.

We were more puzzled than dazzled, it is true; but even the most sober-minded among us began to think that there was something in it.

The Tesmans appointed agents, a contract for government mail-boats secured, the era of steam beginning for the islands--a great stride forward--Heyst's stride! And all this sprang from the meeting of the cornered Morrison and of the wandering Heyst, which may or may not have been the direct outcome of a prayer.

Morrison was not an imbecile, but he seemed to have got himself into a state of remarkable haziness as to his exact position towards Heyst.

For, if Heyst had been sent with money in his pocket by a direct decree of the Almighty in answer to Morrison's prayer then there was no reason for special gratitude, since obviously he could not help himself.
But Morrison believed both, in the efficacy of prayer and in the infinite goodness of Heyst.