"It is difficult to arrive at figures, sir, on such a question. But it has been estimated that perhaps one in ten adults now has some semblance of what may be called active belief in a future existence." "And the rest are prepared to let their lives be arranged in accordance with the belief of that tenth?" asked the Angel, surprised. "Tell me, do they think their matrimonial differences will be adjusted over there, or what?" "As to that, all is cloudy; and certain matters would be difficult to adjust without bigamy; for general opinion and the law permit the remarriage of persons whose first has gone before." "How about children?" said the Angel; "for that is no inconsiderable item, I imagine." "Yes, sir, they are a difficulty. But here, again, my key will fit. So long as the marriage _seems_ real, it does not matter that the children know it isn't and suffer from the disharmony of their parents." "I think," said the Angel acutely, "there must be some more earthly reason for the condition of your marriage laws than those you give me. It's all a matter of property at bottom, I suspect." "Sir," said his dragoman, seemingly much struck, "I should not be surprised if you were right. There is little interest in divorce where no money is involved, and our poor are considered able to do without it. But I will never admit that this is the reason for the state of our divorce laws. No, no; I am an Englishman." "Well," said the Angel, "we are wandering. Does this judge believe what they are now saying to him?" "It is impossible to inform you, for judges are very deep and know all that is to be known on these matters. But of this you may be certain: if anything is fishy to the average apprehension, he will not suffer it to pass his nose." "Where is the average apprehension?" asked the Angel. "There, sir," said his dragoman, pointing to the jury with his chin, "noted for their common sense." "And these others with grey heads who are calling each other friend, though they appear to be inimical?" "Little can be hid from them," returned his dragoman; "but this case, though defended as to certain matters of money, is not disputed in regard to the divorce itself. Moreover, they are bound by professional etiquette to serve their clients through thin and thick." "Cease!" said the Angel; "I wish to hear this evidence, and so does the lady on my left wing." His dragoman smiled in his beard, and made no answer. "Tell me," remarked the Angel, when he had listened, "does this woman get anything for saying she called them in the morning?" "Fie, sir!" responded his dragoman; "only her expenses to the Court and back. Though indeed, it is possible that after she had called them, she got half a sovereign from the defendant to impress the matter on her mind, seeing that she calls many people every day." "The whole matter," said the Angel with a frown, "appears to be in the nature of a game; nor are the details as savoury as I expected."