You are elaborately knocking down ninepins that have never stood up, because they have nothing to stand on." "I am not proposing to play a game of mental skittles," said the clerical author.

"It is enough for me, as I said before, to cut at the roots of ignorance wherever I see it flourishing, not to pull off the leaves one by one as you would have me do by dissecting their opinions.
This may not be novel, it may not even be amusing, but, nevertheless, Hester, a clergyman's duty is to wage unceasing war against spiritual ignorance.

And what," read on Mr.Gresley, after a triumphant moment in which Hester remained silent, "is the best means of coping against ignorance, against darkness"-- ("It was a root a moment ago," thought Hester)--"but by the infusion of light?
The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not." Half a page more and the darkness was 'Modern Dissent.' Hester put her hand over her mouth and kept it there.
The familiar drama of a clerical bull and a red rag was played out before her eyes, and, metaphorically speaking, she followed the example of the majority of laymen and crept up a tree to be out of the way.
When it was all over she came down trembling.
"Well! what do you think of it ?" said Mr.Gresley, rising and pacing up and down the room.
"You hit very hard," said Hester, after a moment's consideration.

She did not say, "You strike home." "I have no opinion of being mealy-mouthed," said Mr.Gresley, who was always perfectly satisfied with a vague statement.

"If you have anything worth saying, say it plainly.