"In that case," replied Crashaw, rising to his feet, "I shall fight you to the bitter end. I am determined"--he raised his voice and struck the writing-table with his fist--"I am determined that this infidel child shall go to school. I am prepared, if necessary, to spend all my leisure in seeing that the law is carried out." Mr. Forman had also risen. "Very right, very right, indeed," he said, and he knitted his mild brows and stroked his patriarchal white beard with a simulation of stern determination. "I think you would be better advised to let the matter rest," said Challis. Mr. Forman looked inquiringly at the representative of the Church. "I shall fight," replied Crashaw, stubbornly, fiercely. "Ha!" said Mr. Forman. "Very well, as you think best," was Challis's last word. As Challis walked down to the gate, where his motor was awaiting him, Mr. Forman trotted up from behind and ranged himself alongside. "More rain wanted yet for the roots, sir," he said. "September was a grand month for 'arvest, but we want rain badly now." "Quite, quite," murmured Challis, politely. He shook hands with Mr. Forman before he got into the car. Mr. Forman, standing politely bareheaded, saw that Mr. Challis's car went in the direction of Ailesworth. CHAPTER XI HIS EXAMINATION I Challis's first visit was paid to Sir Deane Elmer, that man of many activities, whose name inevitably suggests his favourite phrase of "Organised Progress"--with all its variants. This is hardly the place in which to criticise a man of such diverse abilities as Deane Elmer, a man whose name still figures so prominently in the public press in connection with all that is most modern in eugenics; with the Social Reform programme of the moderate party; with the reconstruction of our penal system; with education, and so many kindred interests; and, finally, of course, with colour photography and process printing. This last Deane Elmer always spoke of as his hobby, but we may doubt whether all his interests were not hobbies in the same sense. He is the natural descendant of those earlier amateur scientists--the adjective conveys no reproach--of the nineteenth century, among whom we remember such striking figures as those of Lord Avebury and Sir Francis Galton. In appearance Deane Elmer was a big, heavy, rather corpulent man, with a high complexion, and his clean-shaven jowl and his succession of chins hung in heavy folds. But any suggestion of material grossness was contradicted by the brightness of his rather pale-blue eyes, by his alertness of manner, and by his ready, whimsical humour.