They stood respectfully, each with his hat and staff.

At first sight you might have thought he was dismissing them on a pilgrimage.
Master Blanchminster sat on the Bishop's right, with Mr.Colt close behind him; Mr.Simeon at the end of the table, taking down a verbatim report in his best shorthand.
"I tell you frankly," pursued the Bishop, "I come rather to appeal for concord than to discuss principles of observance.

If you compel me to pronounce on the points raised, I shall take evidence and endeavour to deal justly upon it: but I suggest to you that the happiness of such a Society as this is better furthered by a spirit of sweet reasonableness than by any man's insistence on his just rights." "_Fiat Caelum ruat justitia_," muttered Brother Copas.

"But the man is right nevertheless." "Principles," said the Bishop, "are hard to discuss, justice often impossible to deal.

.