Then, somewhere about 1897, he had met
Miss Avies at a Revivalist Meeting in the Albert Hall and,
fascinated by her ardent spirit, transferred his services to the
Kingscote Brethren.
He had now risen to a position of great importance in the Chapel; it
was known that he disagreed profoundly with his leader on some vital
questions, and it was thought that he might at a later date
definitely secede and conduct a party of his own.
Certainly he had exceptional energies and gifts of exhortation and
invective not to be despised. Martin politely wished him "Good
evening" and escaped to his room.
As he changed his clothes he tried to translate into definite facts
his vague discomfort. One, he hated that swine Thurston. Two, Amy
was vexed with him (What strange impossible creatures women were!).
Third--and by far the most important of them all--his father wanted
to talk to him. He knew very well that this talk had been preparing
for him ever since his return from abroad. He dreaded it. Oh! he
dreaded it most horribly!
He loved his father but with a love that had in it elements of fear,
timidity, every possible sort of awkwardness.
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