"It seems such a pity that the women of New York get so little
benefit from this beautiful park," she said as they strolled along
through the winding paths together. "The wealthy people enjoy it in
a way from their carriages, and the poor people no doubt derive new
life from their Sunday promenades here. But there are thousands like
myself who are almost wholly debarred from its pleasures. I have
always wanted to walk here, but once I came and a rude man in a
carriage spoke to me. Mother told me never to come alone again. It
seems strange to me that men who are so proud of their strength, and
who should be the natural protectors of woman, can belittle
themselves by annoying or frightening her when alone. I am sure that
same man would never think of speaking to me now that I am with you.
How cowardly he seems when you think of it! Yet I am told there are
many like him, though that was my only experience of the kind."

"Yes, there are many like him," the rector answered. "But you must
remember how short a time man has been evolving from a lower animal
condition to his present state, and how much higher he is to-day than
he was a hundred years ago even, when occasional drunkenness was
considered an attribute of a gentleman. Now it is a vice of which he
is ashamed."

"Then you believe in evolution?" Joy asked with a note of surprise in
her voice.

"Yes, I surely do; nor does the belief conflict with my religious
faith. I believe in many things I could not preach from my pulpit.
My congregation is not ready for broad truths. I am like an eclectic
physician--I suit my treatment to my patient--I administer the old
school or the new school medicaments as the case demands."