al contains a special
lesson for us of St. Hospital: '_If a house be divided against
itself, that house cannot stand_'"

"Tilly vally!" muttered Brother Copas, and was feeling for his
snuff-box, but recollected himself in time.

"You may say that you are old men, poor men; that it is little you
could help. Do not be so sure of this. I am informed, for instance,
that the proceeds of our forthcoming Pageant are to be devoted to the
Restoration Fund, and not (as was originally intended) to missionary
purposes."

Here Mr. Simeon, bending over his shorthand notes, blushed to the
ears. It was he, good man, who had first thought of this, and
suggested it to Mr. Colt; as it was Mr. Colt who had suggested it to
the Committee in the presence of reporters, and who, on its
acceptance, had received the Committee's thanks.

"I am further told"--here the Bishop glanced around and caught the
eye of the Chaplain, who inclined his head respectfully--"that
a--er--representation of the Foundation Ceremony of St. Hospital
may be included among the--er--"

"Episodes," murmured Mr. Colt, prompting.

"Eh?--yes, precisely--among the Episodes. I feel sure it would make
a tableau at once impressive and--er--entertaining--in the best
sense of the word. . . . So, you see, there are possibilities; but
they presuppose your willingness to sink some differences and join
heartily in a common cause. . . . Or again, you may urge that to
re-edify our Cathedral is none of your business--as officially indeed
it is none of mine, but concerns the Dean and Chapter. I put it to
you that it concerns us all." Here the Bishop leaned back in his
chair, on the arms of which he rested his elbows; and pressing his
finger-tips together, gazed over them at his audience. "That, at any
rate, is my plea; and I shall be glad, if you have a spokesman, to
hear how the suggestion of a 'truce of God' presents itself to your
minds."

In the pause that followed, Brother Copas felt himself nudged from
behind. He cleared his throat and inclined himself with a grave bow.

"My lord," he said, "my fellow-petitioners here have asked me to
speak first to any points that may be raised. I have stipulated,
however, that they hold themselves free to disavow me here in your
lordship's presence, if on any point I misrepresent them."

The Bishop nodded encouragingly.

"Well then, my lord, it is peculiarly hard to speak for them when at
the outset of the inquiry you meet us