Of course, nearly all the rest of that crowd at Jane's wedding was carrying on as if Christianity weren't there without the least trouble or struggle. They were quite right; it wasn't there. Nothing was there, for most of them, but self-interest and personal desire. We were, the lot of us, out to make--to grab and keep and enjoy. Nothing else counted. What could Christianity do, a frail, tilting, crusading St. George, up against the monster dragon Grab, who held us all in his coils? It's no use, Jukie; it never was and never will be any use. I suddenly grew very tired of that party. It seemed a monster meeting of Potterites at play--mediocrity, second-rateness, humbug, muddle, cant, cheap stunts--the room was full of it all. I went across to Jane to say good-bye. I had scarcely spoken to her yet. I had never congratulated her on her engagement, but Jane wouldn't mind about that or expect me to. All I could say now was, 'I'm afraid I've got to get back. I've some work waiting.' She said, 'Is it any use my sending you anything for the _Fact_? 'From the enemy's camp?' I smiled at her. She smiled too. 'I've not ratted, you know. I'm still an A.P. I shall come on the next tour of investigation, whenever that is.' 'Shall you write for the _Haste_?' I asked her. 'Sometimes, I expect. Oliver says he can get me some of the reviewing. And occasional non-controversial articles. But I don't want to be tied up with it; I want to write for other papers too.... You take Johnny's poetry, I observe.' 'Sometimes. That's Peacock's fault, not mine. ... Send along anything you think may suit, by all means, and we'll consider it. You'll most likely get it back--if you remember to enclose a stamped envelope. ... Good-night, and thank you for asking me to your party. Good-night, Hobart.' I said good-bye to Lady Pinkerton, and went back to the _Fact_ office, for it was press night. So Jane got married. CHAPTER II DINING WITH THE HOBARTS 1