he said, "there are several hundred
million Catholics and Protestants in the world to-day. Would you
presume to say that they are all mistaken, and that you are right?
Something of an assumption, is it not? Indeed, I think you set the
Church an example in that respect."

"Monsignor, there were once several hundred millions who believed that
the earth was flat, and that the sun revolved about it. Were they
mistaken?"

"Yes. But the--"

"And, Monsignor, there are billions to-day who believe that matter is
a solid, substantial reality, and that it possesses life and
sensation. There are billions who believe that the physical eyes see,
and the ears hear, and the hands feel. Yet these beliefs are all
capable of scientific refutation. Did you know that?"

"I am not unacquainted with philosophical speculation," he returned
suggestively.

"This is not mere speculation, Monsignor," put in Father Waite. "The
beliefs of the human mind are its fetish. Such beliefs become in time
national customs, and men defend them with frenzy, utterly wrong and
undemonstrable though they be. Then they remain as the incubus of true
progress. By them understanding becomes degraded, and the human mind
narrows and shrinks. And the mind that clings to them will then
mercilessly hunt out the dissenting minds of its heretical neighbors
and stone them to death for disagreeing. So now, you would stone me
for obeying Christ's command to take up my bed on the Sabbath day."

Lafelle heaved a great sigh. "Still you blazon my faults," he said in
a tone of mock sadness, and addressing Carmen. "But, like the Church
which you persecute, I shall endure. We have been martyred throughout
the ages. And we are very patient. Our wayward children forsake us,"
nodding toward Father Waite, "and yet we welcome their return when
they have tired of the husks. The press teems with slander against us;
we are reviled from east to west. But our reply is that such slander
and untruth can best be met by our leading individual lives of such an
exemplary nature as to cause all men to be attracted by our holy
light."

"I agree with you, Monsignor," quickly replied Carmen. "Scurrilous
attacks upon the Church but make it a martyr. Vilification returns
upon the one who hurls the abuse. One can not fling mud without
soiling one's hands. I oppose not men, but human systems of thought.
Whatever is good will stand, and needs no defense. Whatever is
erroneous must go. And there is