‘So he makes a stand at Darwinism as it affects man?’

Peak had yet no means of knowing at what point Martin himself ’made a stand’.  Modes of reconcilement between scientific discovery and religious tradition are so very numerous, and the geologist was only now beginning to touch upon these topics with his young acquaintance.  That his mind was not perfectly at ease amid the conflicts of the day, Godwin soon perceived, and by this time he had clear assurance that Martin would willingly thrash out the whole debate with anyone who seemed capable of supporting orthodox tenets by reasoning not unacceptable to a man of broad views.  The negativist of course assumed from the first that Martin, however respectable his knowledge, was far from possessing the scientific mind, and each conversation had supplied him with proofs of this defect; it was not at all in the modern spirit that the man of threescore years pursued his geological and kindred researches, but with the calm curiosity of a liberal intellect which has somehow taken this direction instead of devoting itself to literary study.  At bottom, Godwin had no little sympathy with Mr. Warricombe; he too, in spite of his militant instincts, dwelt by preference amid purely human interests.  He grasped with firm intelligence the modes of thought which distinguish scientific men, but his nature did not prompt him to a consistent application of them.  Personal liking enabled him to subdue the impulses of disrespect which, under other circumstances, would have made it difficult for him to act with perfection his present part.  None the less, his task was one of infinite delicacy.  Martin Warricombe was not the man to unbosom himself on trivial instigation.  It must be a powerful influence which would persuade him to reveal whatever self-questionings lay beneath his genial good breeding and long-established acquiescence in a practical philosophy.  Godwin guarded himself against his eager emotions; one false note, one syllable of indiscretion, and his aims might be hopelessly defeated.

‘Yes,’ was his reply to the hesitating question.  ’He argues strenuously against the descent of man.  If I understand him, he regards the concession of this point as impossible.’

Martin was deep in thought.  He held a paper-knife bent upon his knee, and his smooth, delicate features wore an unquiet smile.

‘Do you know Hebrew, Mr. Peak?’

The question came unexpectedly, and Godwin could not help a momentary confusion, but he covered it with the tone of self-reproach.

‘I am ashamed to say that I am only now taking it up seriously.’

‘I don’t think you need be ashamed,’ said Martin, good-naturedly.  ’Even a mind as active as yours must postpone some studies.  Reusch, I suppose, is sound on that head?’

The inquiry struck Godwin as significant.  So Mr. Warricombe attached importance to the verbal interpretation of the Old Testament.