“But,” he concluded, “I do not think it can be that. I _should_ like to know what it is.” “Then wait,” said Wingfold. “If we only wait long enough, every reason will come out. You know I believe we are not going to stop, but are meant to go on and on for ever; and I believe the business of eternity is to bring grand hidden things out into the light; and with them will come of necessity many other things as well, even some, I daresay, that we count trifles.--But I am sorry you're going.” “I don't see why you should be, sir!” answered Richard, his look taking from the words their seeming rudeness. “Because I like you, and feel sure we should understand each other if only we had time,” replied the parson. “It's a grand thing to come upon one who knows what you mean. It's so much of heaven before you get there.--If you think I'm talking shop, I can't help it--and I don't care, so long as you believe I mean it. I would not have you think it the Reverend Thomas and not Thomas himself that was saying it.” “I should never say you talked shop, sir; and I don't think you would say I was talking shop if I expatiated on the beauties of a Grolier binding! You would see I was not talking from love of gain, but love of beauty!” “Thank you. You are a fair man, and that is even more than an honest man! I don't speak from love of religion; I don't know that I do love religion.” “I don't understand you now, sir.” “Look here: I am very fond of a well-bound book; I should like all my new books bound in levant morocco; but I don't _care_ about it; I could do well enough without any binding at all.” “Of course you could, sir! and so could I, or any man that cared for the books themselves.” “Very well! I don't care about religion much, but I could not live without my Father in heaven. I don't believe anybody can live without him.” “I see,” said Richard. He thought he saw, but he did not see, and could not help smiling in his heart as he said to himself, “_I_ have lived a good many years without him!” Wingfold saw the shadow of the smile, and blamed himself for having spoken too soon. “When do you go?” he asked. “I think I shall go to-morrow. I am at my grandfather's.” “If I can be of use to you, let me know.” “I will, sir; and I thank you heartily. There's nothing a man is so grateful for as friendliness.” “The obligation is mutual,” said Wingfold. CHAPTER XXXIX. _MR., MRS., AND MISS WYLDER_.