These fears which had been taking shape for some few minutes were turned almost to certainties by the half-contemptuous glance Hanky threw towards him as he uttered what was obviously intended as a challenge.  He saw that all was over, and was starting to his feet to declare himself, and thus fall into the trap that Hanky was laying for him, when George gripped him tightly by the knee and whispered, “Don’t—­you are in great danger.”  And he smiled kindly as he spoke.

My father sank back dumbfounded.  “You know me?” he whispered in reply.

“Perfectly.  So does Hanky, so does my mother; say no more,” and he again smiled.

George, as my father afterwards learned, had hoped that he would reveal himself, and had determined in spite of his mother’s instructions, to give him an opportunity of doing so.  It was for this reason that he had not arrested him quietly, as he could very well have done, before the service began.  He wished to discover what manner of man his father was, and was quite happy as soon as he saw that he would have spoken out if he had not been checked.  He had not yet caught Hanky’s motive in trying to goad my father, but on seeing that he was trying to do this, he knew that a trap was being laid, and that my father must not be allowed to speak.

Almost immediately, however, he perceived that while his eyes had been turned on Hanky, two burly vergers had wormed their way through the crowd and taken their stand close to his two brothers.  Then he understood, and understood also how to frustrate.

As for my father, George’s ascendancy over him—­quite felt by George—­was so absolute that he could think of nothing now but the exceeding great joy of finding his fears groundless, and of delivering himself up to his son’s guidance in the assurance that the void in his heart was filled, and that his wager not only would be held as won, but was being already paid.  How they had found out, why he was not to speak as he would assuredly have done—­for he was in a white heat of fury—­what did it all matter now that he had found that which he had feared he should fail to find?  He gave George a puzzled smile, and composed himself as best he could to hear the continuation of Hanky’s sermon, which was as follows:-

“Who could the Sunchild have chosen, even though he had been gifted with no more than human sagacity, but the body of men whom he selected?  It becomes me but ill to speak so warmly in favour of that body of whom I am the least worthy member, but what other is there in Erewhon so above all suspicion of slovenliness, self-seeking, preconceived bias, or bad faith?  If there was one set of qualities more essential than another for the conduct of the investigations entrusted to us by the Sunchild, it was those that turn on meekness and freedom from all spiritual pride.  I believe I can say quite truly that these are the qualities for which Bridgeford is more especially renowned.