Every church-bell they hear is a witness against them, every one of
those whom they meet on Sundays going to or coming from church is a
warning voice from God. If these countless influences produce no
effect upon them, neither will the few transient words which they
would hear from you. You are like Dives, and think that if one rose
from the dead they would hear him. Perhaps they might; but then you
cannot pretend that you have risen from the dead."
Though the last few words were spoken laughingly, there was a
sub-sneer about them which made Ernest wince; but he was quite
subdued, and so the conversation ended. It left Ernest, however, not
for the first time, consciously dissatisfied with Pryer, and
inclined to set his friend's opinion on one side- not openly, but
quietly, and without telling Pryer anything about it.
CHAPTER LVII
HE had hardly parted from Pryer before there occurred another
incident which strengthened his discontent. He had fallen, as I have
shown, among a gang of spiritual thieves or coiners, who passed the
basest metal upon him without his finding it out, so childish and
inexperienced was he in the ways of anything but those back eddies
of the world, schools and universities.
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