"But atheists and ruffians always quote Shakespeare as glibly as they quote the New Testament!" "It's lucky that atheists and ruffians have got such good authorities to quote from," said Helmsley placidly.
Arbroath gave an impatient exclamation, and again addressed Mary.
"Why don't you come to Church ?" he asked.
She raised her calm blue eyes and regarded him steadfastly.
"I don't like the way you conduct the service, sir, and I don't take you altogether for a Christian." "What!" And he stared at her so furiously that his little pig eyes grew almost large for the moment--"You don't take me--_me_--for a Christian ?" "No, sir,--not altogether.

You are too hard and too proud.

You are not careful of us poor folk, and you don't seem to mind whether you hurt our feelings or not.

We're only very humble simple people here in Weircombe, but we're not accustomed to being ordered about as if we were children, or as if our parson was a Romish priest wanting to get us all under his thumb.

We believe in God with all our hearts and souls, and we love the dear gentle Saviour who came to show us how to live and how to die,--but we like to pray as we've always been accustomed to pray, just without any show, as our Lord taught us to do, not using any 'vain repetitions.'" Helmsley, who was bending some stiff osiers in his hands, paused to listen.