Of course, you don't agree with me! Of course you've got another objection all ready to bowl me down with ?" "Rationalism," said Mr.Thorpe, still looking steadily at the lithographed portrait of the Reverend Aaron Yollop.
"Well, your objection's a short one this time at any rate; and that's a blessing!" said the old gentleman rather irritably.

"Rationalism--eh?
I understand that _ism,_ I rather suspect, better than the other.

It means in plain English, that you think I'm wrong in only wanting to give religious instruction the same chance with Zack which you let all other kinds of instruction have--the chance of becoming useful by being first made attractive.

You can't get him to learn to read by telling him that it will improve his mind--but you can by getting him to look at a picture book.

You can't get him to drink senna and salts by reasoning with him about its doing him good--but you can by promising him a lump of sugar to take after it.