----"Against whom, against what would you have me protest? The authorities of the Church have decided the alteration; we subalterns have but to bow to their decision. Besides, I shall tell my congregation that in the New Version _life_ means future life." ----"Very good, Barty; a good idea, for, be sure of it, you can't get on without any hell: it is the fear of the devil that keeps the masses in submission." ----"My dear wife, I assure you once more, that if there is a hell, it matters not to us: the House of Israel--that is to say, the British nation--will be saved to the last soul." ----"And the others?" ----"What others?" ----"Why, the French, the Germans, the Italians, the Chinese, and the rest. What will become of them? Won't there be any of them in Paradise?" ----"A few perhaps, but in very inferior places, you may be sure." ----"Who dies will see," said Mrs. Goodman. ----"Just so; make yourself comfortable; calm yourself, and have no fear for the future. And now let me finish my sermon for to-morrow." ----"Don't talk to me of your sermons; you have enough of them, there in your cupboards, to preach from, for the rest of your days." ----"My dear, it is a sermon of my own composition that I am preparing." ----"That will be a treat for the congregation! Come, put away all that, and drive me to the station; the carriage is ready." ----"It is impossible, my love; I have several letters to write." ----"You can write them to-morrow." ----"You would not have me write letters on a Sunday!" cried the Vicar. ----"Can't you date them the day before? Really, Barty, I did not think you were so simple as that." ----"Besides," added the worthy Mr. Goodman, "I have several places to go to, a lot of bills to pay: the tradesmen are bothering me...." ----"Send them some tracts to remind them that humility and patience are Christian virtues." ----"That does not pay in these days." ----"Whose fault is it? How can you expect that those people will believe in you, when you don't believe in yourselves?" ----"My dear, my dear, I beg you will not renew that subject. You give me a headache. Come, you are right to make me go out; I will drive you to the station." * * * * * Of all the tasks Mrs. Goodman set her husband, the one the reverend gentleman dreaded most was driving out his model wife. The thought of being able to return alone, and finish his sermon in peace, however, made him put a cheerful face upon it. The station was four miles distant from the vicarage, and part of the journey consisted of a long steep hill to climb.