‘How many times must a person go to church on a Sunday in order to be a good man?’ asked Gerald, rather captiously, for he knew what the answer would be. Mrs. Eversley went to church twice on Sunday, never oftener and (except after her confinements) never less often; it was evident, therefore, that the orthodox thing was to attend divine service twice. Mrs. Eversley’s theory, though I am not aware that it was ever formulated in words, was that to go to church only once on Sunday was irreligion, to go twice was piety and propriety, to go three times was hypocrisy. It is possible that, if she had been in the habit of going to church once only, it would have been considered hypocritical to go twice. As it was, she answered, ‘Twice, of course, as your father and I have gone all through our married life.’ Gerald turned the conversation to the decorations of the church. They were meagre; indeed, Mrs. Eversley had some doubt as to decorations generally; but they were the results of her own taste and orthodoxy, and in praising them he felt he might hope to propitiate her. Then he remarked that Mr. Seaford seemed to be ageing a good deal. ‘Yes, he is,’ replied Mrs. Eversley; ‘he is not so regular as he might be at church now in the winter months, but I don’t think he will miss the Sacrament on the first Sunday of the year.’ That was a hint to Gerald--at least, so he thought--that he had better not miss it himself. The celebration of the Sacrament in Kestercham Church thirty years ago was a singular ceremony. It took place four times in the year. Some of its features it would be impossible to reproduce.