From that moment the sermon improved by degrees, till at length it reached a really high level of excellence.  Ceasing from rhetoric, the speaker began to tell of his own experience and sufferings in the Cause amongst savage tribes; for he himself was a missionary of many years standing.  He told how once he and a companion had been sent to a nation, who named themselves the Sons of Fire because their god was the lightning, if indeed they could be said to boast any gods other than the Spear and the King.  In simple language he narrated his terrible adventures among these savages, the murder of his companion by command of the Council of Wizards, and his own flight for his life; a tale so interesting and vivid that even the bucolic sleepers awakened and listened open-mouthed.

“But this is by the way,” he went on; “for my Society does not ask you to subscribe towards the conversion of the Children of Fire.  Until that people is conquered—­which very likely will not be for generations, seeing that they live in Central Africa, occupying a territory that white men do not desire—­no missionary will dare again to visit them.”

At this moment something caused him to look a second time at Thomas Owen.  He was leaning forward in his place listening eagerly, and a strange light filled the large, dark eyes that shone in the pallor of his delicate, nervous face.

“There is a man who would dare, if he were put to it,” thought the Deputation to himself.  Then he ended his sermon.

That evening the two men sat at dinner in the rectory.  It was a very fine rectory, beautifully furnished; for Owen was a man of taste which he had the means to gratify.  Also, although they were alone, the dinner was good—­so good that the poor broken-down missionary, sipping his unaccustomed port, a vintage wine, sighed aloud in admiration and involuntary envy.

“What is the matter?” asked Owen.

“Nothing, Mr. Owen;” then, of a sudden thawing into candour, he added:  “that is, everything.  Heaven forgive me; but I, who enjoy your hospitality, am envious of you.  Don’t think too hardly of me; I have a large family to support, and if only you knew what a struggle my life is, and has been for the last twenty years, you would not, I am sure.  But you have never experienced it, and could not understand.  ’The labourer is worthy of his hire.’  Well, my hire is under two hundred a year, and eight of us must live—­or starve—­on it.  And I have worked, ay, until my health is broken.  A labourer indeed!  I am a very hodman, a spiritual Sisyphus.  And now I must go back to carry my load and roll my stone again and again among those hopeless savages till I die of it—­till I die of it!”

“At least it is a noble life and death!” exclaimed Owen, a sudden fire of enthusiasm burning in his dark eyes.

“Yes, viewed from a distance.  Were you asked to leave this living of two thousand a year—­I see that is what they put it at in Crockford—­with its English comforts and easy work, that you might lead that life and attain that death, then you would think differently.  But why should I bore you with such talk?  Thank Heaven that your lines are cast in pleasant places.  Yes, please, I will take one more glass; it does me good.”