THE FIRST BATTLE
a finger to help him against the ignorance of their followers. Your stepfather was right enough there. They know what's going on. They know that it means lying and humbug for any number of people, and they don't care. Why should they? They've got it down all right. They're spoiled and why shouldn't we be?"
Lewisham having selected the bishops as scapegoats for his turpitude, was inclined to ascribe even the nail in his boot to their agency.
Mrs. Lewisham looked puzzled. She realised his drift.
"You're not," she said, and dropped her voice, "an infidel?"
Lewisham nodded gloomily. "Aren't you?" he said.
"Oh no," said Mrs. Lewisham.
"But you don't go to church, you don't———"
"No, I don't," said Mrs. Lewisham; and then with more assurance, "But I'm not an infidel."
"Christian?"
"I suppose so."
"But a Christian— What do you believe?"
"Oh! to tell the truth, and do right, and not hurt or injure people and all that."
"That's not a Christian. A Christian is one who believes."
"It's what I mean by a Christian," said Mrs. Lewisham.
"Oh! at that rate any one's a Christian," said Lewisham. "We all think it's right to do right and wrong to do wrong."
449
