The World’s Tragedy

PREFACE. VII it ; even Stuart was sound in this matter, and Stoney himself (though reluctantly) gave his adhesion. To hold a Meeting you must have two persons present. Let nobody try to upset this ; for once I positively insist. No less than two for a Meeting ! I will brook no oppo- sition ; I mean to have my own way in the matter ; I am not to be played with. Two or more make a Meeting. There ; my foot is down, let’s hear no more senseless cavil about it ! Well, I need hardly say that Mr. and Mrs. Cameron took opposite sides of the controversy. When the glad wires flashed the message that Mr. Raven in the Meeting at Ealing had deliberately said with slow and weighty em- phasis : “ He that hath the Son hath eternal life ”. Mrs. Cameron almost wept for joy. When (the mes- sage continued) Major Mc. Arthy had risen to his feet and retorted : “ He that hath the Son of God hath everlas- ting life ”, Mr. Cameron executed a Highland though funereal fling. When Mr. Raven, stung to the quick, had shaken his fist at the Major and yelled : “ Brother, you’re a sinful old man ! ” Mrs. Cameron “ had always known there was something ” and invented a ruined governess. But — oh the laughter of her husband when the telegraph brought the Major’s retort “ Brother, have you no sin ? ” Spoken with an accent of mildness which belied the purple of his face. In short, the Meeting at Oban had split. Mr. Cameron