Diamond could not but acknowledge to himself that all the scriptural phraseology, and the technicalities of sectarianism, which he found merely grotesque or disgusting in men of common, vulgar natures, came from this man's lips with as much ease and propriety as if he had been a Hebrew of old time uttering his native idiom. Indeed, the impression of there being something oriental about David Powell, which Diamond had received on first seeing him, was deepened on further acquaintance. This black-haired Welshman was picturesque and poetic, despite his threadbare cloth suit, made in the ungraceful mode of the day; and impressive, despite his equally threadbare phrases. It is possible to make a wonderful difference in the effect both of clothes and words, by putting something earnest and unaffected inside them. "What is the help you seek? And how can I help you?" asked Diamond, with grave directness. "You are acquainted with the daughter of the principal of the grammar school here----" "Miss Bodkin?" "Yes. Do you think that, if you carried to her a request that I might be permitted to see and speak with her, she would admit me?" "I--I don't know," answered Diamond, greatly taken aback. There was a pause. Each man was busy with his own thoughts. "Rhoda is beyond my reach now," said Powell at length. "I can neither see nor speak with her. Nor do I know of any of those who see her familiarly who would be likely to influence her for good, except Miss Bodkin. I am told that she is a lady of much ability and power of mind; and I hear, moreover, of her doing many acts of charity and kindness. You know her well, do you not?" "I know her. Yes." "Would you consent to carry such a request from me?" Diamond hesitated. "Why not prefer the request yourself?" he said. "If you have any good reason for desiring an interview with Miss Bodkin, I believe she would grant it." "I had thought of doing so. I had thought, even, of writing all that I have to say. But, for many reasons, I believe it would be more profitable for me to see her face to face. I am no penman. I am indeed, as you perceive, a man very ignorant in the world's learning and the world's ways." Diamond suspected a covert boast under this humble speech, and answered in his coolest tones, "The first is a disadvantage--or an advantage, as you choose to consider it--which you share with a good many of your brethren, Mr. Powell. As to the latter kind of ignorance--Methodists are generally thought to have worldly wisdom enough for their needs." Powell bent his head. "I would fain have more learning," he said in a low voice, "but only as a means, not as an end--not as an end."