It had got very broad at this point, when my father broke in.

"I trust him entirely to you, sir," he said; "but, pardon me, I confess I am not fond of religious prodigies--children who quote texts and teach their elders their duty; and Reginald has quite sufficient tendency towards over-excitement of brain on all subjects." "I quite agree with you," said Mr.Andrewes.

"I think you may trust me.

I know well that childhood, like all states and times of ignorance, is so liable to conceit and egotism, that to foster religious self-importance is only too easy, and modesty and moderation are more slowly taught.

But if youth is a time when one is specially apt to be self-conceited, surely, Mr.Dacre, it is also the first, the easiest, the purest, and the most zealous in which to learn what is so seldom learned in good time." "I dare say you are right," said my father.
"People talk with horror of attacks on the faith as sadly characteristic of our age," said the Rector, walking up and down the study, and seemingly forgetful of my presence, if not of my father's, "(which, by-the-bye, is said of every age in turn), but I fear the real evil is that so few have any fixed faith to be attacked.