"I believe not," answered Miss Masterman. "However, what my brother has got to say regarding his intentions can come later. For the present he will hear you." "If you don't want a clerk, I've done," answered Mr. Gollop blankly. "But I'll make bold to think you can't ezacally mean that. Us'll leave it, and I'll tell my tale about the people. The Lillicraps be a harmless folk, and humble and fertile as coneys. You'll have no trouble along with them. The Baskervilles be valuable and powerful; and Mr. Humphrey and his son is Church, and Mr. Vivian and his family is Church also, and his darters sing in the choir." "We shall manage without women in the choir," said Miss Masterman. "You may think so, but I doubt it," answered Eliza Gollop almost fiercely. "You'll have to manage without anybody in the church also, if you be for up-turning the whole order of divine service!" She was excited, and her large bosom heaved. "Not up-turning--not up-turning," declared the clergyman. "Call it reorganisation. Frankly, I propose a surpliced choir. I have the bishop's permission; he wishes it. Now, go on." "Then the Lord help you," said Thomas. "We'd better be going, Eliza. We've heard almost enough for one evening." "Be reasonable," urged Miss Masterman with admirable self-command. "We are here to do our duty. We hope and expect to be helped by all sensible people--not hindered. Let Mr. Gollop tell us what he came to tell us." "Well--as to reason--I ask no more, but where is it?" murmured Thomas. "'Twas the Baskervilles," he continued, wiping his forehead. "The other of 'em--Nathan--be unfortunately a chapel member; and if you be going to play these here May games in the House of the Lord, I'm very much afeared he'll draw a good few after him. They won't stand it--mark me." "Where do the people at Undershaugh worship? I did not see Mrs. Lintern and her family last Sunday." "They'm all chapel too." Mr. Masterman nodded. "Thank you for these various facts. Is there anything more?" "I've only just begun. But I comed with warnings chiefly. There be six Radicals in this parish, and only six." "Though the Lord knows how many there will be when they hear about the choir," said Eliza Gollop. "I'm an old-fashioned Liberal myself," declared the vicar. "But I hope your Radicals are sound churchmen, whatever else they may be." "Humphrey Baskerville is--and so's his son." "Is that young Mark Baskerville?"