It was only that horrid money business (so said Ernest to
himself) that caused any unpleasantness between them, and no doubt Pryer
was right, and he, Ernest, much too nervous. However, that might stand
over for the present.
In like manner, though he had received a shock by reason of his
conversation with Mr Shaw, and by looking at the "Vestiges," he was as
yet too much stunned to realise the change which was coming over him. In
each case the momentum of old habits carried him forward in the old
direction. He therefore called on Pryer, and spent an hour and more with
him.
He did not say that he had been visiting among his neighbours; this to
Pryer would have been like a red rag to a bull. He only talked in much
his usual vein about the proposed College, the lamentable want of
interest in spiritual things which was characteristic of modern society,
and other kindred matters; he concluded by saying that for the present he
feared Pryer was indeed right, and that nothing could be done.
"As regards the laity," said Pryer, "nothing; not until we have a
discipline which we can enforce with pains and penalties. How can a
sheep dog work a flock of sheep unless he can bite occasionally as well
as bark? But as regards ourselves we can do much.
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