Father James did not answer; the silence grew painful, and Father
Michael asked Father James to show him the relief works that the
Government had ordered.

They walked to where the poor people were working, but important as
these works were the letter to Rome seemed more important to Father
Michael, and he said:--

"My good friend, there isn't a girl that would marry us; now is there?
There isn't a girl in Ireland who would touch us with a forty foot
pole. Would you have the Pope release the nuns from their vows?"

"I think exceptions should be made in favour of those in orders. But I
think it would be for the good of Ireland if the secular clergy were
married."

"That's not my point. My point is that even if the decree were
rescinded we should not be able to get wives. You've been looking too
long in the waste, my dear friend. You've lost yourself in a dream. We
shouldn't get a penny. Our parishioners would say, 'Why should we
support that fellow and his family?' That's what they'd say."

"We should be poor, no doubt," said Father James. "But not so poor as
our parishioners. My parishioners eat yellow meal, and I eat eggs and
live in a good house."

"We are educated men, and should live in better houses."

"The greatest saints lived in deserts."

And so the argument went on until the time came to say good-bye, and
then Father James said:--

"I shall be glad if you will give me a lift on your car. I want to go
to the post-office."

"To post your letter?"

"The idea came to me--it came swiftly like a lightning flash, and I
can't believe that it was an accident. If it had fallen into your mind
with the suddenness that it fell into mine, you would believe that it
was an inspiration."

"It would take a great deal to make me believe I was inspired," said
Father Michael, and he watched Father James go into the post-office to
register his letter.

As he went home Father James met a long string of peasants returning
from their work. The last was Norah Flynn, and the priest blushed
deeply. It was the first time he had looked on one of his parishioners
in the light of a possible spouse; he entered his house frightened, and
when he looked round his parlour he asked himself if the day would come
when he should see Norah Flynn sitting opposite to him in his armchair.
And his face flushed deeper when he looked towards the bedroom door,
and he fell on his knees and prayed that God's will might be made known
to hi