This telegram, he told me afterwards, he considered unseemly and even ribald, especially as it had given great offence to the postmaster, who was one of the sidesmen in his church.
Thus it came about that I appointed the Rev.Basil Bastin to the living of Fulcombe, feeling sure that he would provide me with endless amusement and act as a moral tonic and discipline.

Also I appreciated the man's blunt candour.

In due course he arrived, and I confess that after a few Sundays of experience I began to have doubts as to the wisdom of my choice, glad as I was to see him personally.

His sermons at once bored me, and, when they did not send me to sleep, excited in me a desire for debate.

How could he be so profoundly acquainted with mysteries before which the world had stood amazed for ages?
Was there nothing too hot or too heavy in the spiritual way for him to dismiss in a few blundering and casual words, as he might any ordinary incident of every-day life, I wondered?
Also his idea of High Church observances was not mine, or, I imagine, that of anybody else.