"Well, now," said Mr. Denner, "I should say, I should be inclined to
think, it would be just the opposite, quite--quite the contrary. From
what you say, doctor, it seems to me more likely that he might be an
anarchist, as it were. Yes, not at all a conservative."

"How so?" asked the rector. "A man who would say such a thing as that the
Bible, his interpretation of it, was to decide all questions of duty (a
pretty dangerous thing that, for a man must have inclinations of his own,
which would be sure to color his interpretation! What?), and who would
bring all his actions down to its literal teachings without regard to
more modern needs? No, Denner; you are wrong there."

"Not altogether," Mr. Dale demurred in his gentle voice. "Ward would
believe in a party only so long as it agreed with his conscience, I
should suppose, and his conscience might make him--anything. And
certainly the Bible test would not leave him content with democracy,
doctor. Communism is literal Christianity. I can fancy he would leave any
party, if he thought its teachings were not supported by the Bible. But I
scarcely know him; my opinion is very superficial."

"Why do you express it, then?" said Mrs. Dale. "Don't you see Deborah has
led? You are keeping the whole table waiting!"

They began to play. Mr. Denner, who was facing the open door, could see
the square hall, and the white stair-rail across the first landing, where
with the moon and stars about its face, the clock stood; it was just five
minutes to nine. This made the lawyer nervous; he played a low trump, in
spite of the rector's mutter of, "Look out, Denner!" and thus lost the
trick, which meant the rubber, so he threw down his cards in despair. He
had scarcely finished explaining that he meant to play the king, but