Arbuthnot is a lawyer and acts as a judge. I am a surgeon and I
may add a general--a very general--practitioner and work at
medicine in an enormous and much-neglected practice. Therefore,
you, being a clergyman, should go and do likewise. There are some
ten thousand people here, but I do not observe that as yet you
have converted a single one."

Thus spoke Bickley in a light and unguarded moment with his
usual object of what is known as "getting a rise" out of Bastin.
Little did he guess what he was doing.

Bastin thought a while ponderously, then said:

"It is very strange from what peculiar sources Providence
sometimes sends inspirations. If wisdom flows from babes and
sucklings, why should it not do so from the well of agnostics and
mockers?"

"There is no reason which I can see," scoffed Bickley, "except
that as a rule wells do not flow."

"Your jest is ill-timed and I may add foolish," continued
Bastin. "What I was about to add was that you have given me an
idea, as it was no doubt intended that you should do. I will,
metaphorically speaking, gird up my loins and try to bear the
light into all this heathen blackness."

"Then it is one of the first you ever had, old fellow. But
what's the need of girding up your loins in this hot climate?"
inquired Bickley with innocence. "Pyjamas and that white and