“A little.”
“Yes. Most dangerous—most dangerous. … And any success, Mr. Baxter?”
Laurie felt his annoyance deepen.
“Very considerable success,” he said shortly.
“Ah, yes—you must forgive me, sir; but I have had a good deal of experience, and I must say—You are a Catholic, I see,” he said, interrupting himself. “Or a High Churchman.”
“I am a Catholic,” said Laurie.
“So’m I. But I gave up Spiritualism as soon as I became one. Very interesting experiences, too; but—well, I value my soul too much, Mr. Baxter.”
Mr. Morton put a large piece of potato into his mouth with a detached air.
It was really rather trying, thought Laurie, to be catechized in this way; so he determined to show superiority.
“And you think it all superstition and nonsense?” he asked.
“Indeed, no,” said the old man shortly.
Laurie pushed his plate on one side, and drew the cheese towards him. This was a little more interesting, he thought, but he was still far from feeling communicative.
“What then?” he asked.
“Oh, very real indeed,” said the old man. “That is just the danger.”