ou would force me to say, sir, 'Because it interferes with my
fishing.' Well, even so, I might confess without shame, and answer
with Walton, that when I would beget content and increase confidence
in the power and wisdom and providence of Almighty God I will walk
the meadows by Mere, 'and there contemplate the lilies that take no
care, and those very many other various little living creatures that
are not only created but fed (man knows not how) by the goodness of
the God of nature, and therefore trust in Him.' . . . But I am
speaking here rather on behalf of Brother Warboise--if he will leave
off nudging me in the small of the back. It happens that for a
number of years Brother Warboise has daily, at this hour, paid a
visit to a sick and paralysed friend--"

"He is not a friend," rasped out Brother Warboise. "On the
contrary--"

"Shall we," interposed the Master, "agree to retain the service on
the understanding that I am willing to hear any reasonable plea for
non-attendance? I need hardly say, my lord, that visiting the sick
would rank with me before any formal observance; and," he added, with
the hint of a smile which Brother Copas caught, "even to less
Christian excuses I might conceivably be willing to listen."

So, piece by piece, the truce was built up. . . . When the
petitioners had thanked his lordship and withdrawn, and Mr. Simeon,
having gathered up his notes, presently followed them out, the
Bishop, the Master, and the Chaplain sat for half an hour talking
together.

The time came for Mr. Colt to take his leave, being due at a Pageant
rehearsal. When he was gone the Bishop suggested a quiet stroll in
the home-park, and the two old divines fared forth to take the
benediction of evening, still keeping good grave converse as they
paced side by side.

"My dear Eustace," said the Bishop (they were friends of long
standing, and in private used Christian names in place of titles),
"confess, now that this business is over, it was not so bad as you
feared."

The Master respired the cool air with a quiet sigh.

"No, Walter, it was not so bad as I feared. But having ruled all
these years without question, you understand--"

"You have certainly not ruled all these years for nothing.
They were honest fellows, and made it pretty plain that they loved
you. It does not rankle, I hope?"

"No." Master Blanchminster drew another deep breath and emitted
it as if expelling the last cloudy thought of rese