CHAPTER XXV
Samuel rushed away into the darkness. But he couldn't stay away--he
could not bring himself to believe that he was separated from St.
Matthew's forever. He turned and came back to the church, and stood
gazing at it, choking with his sobs.
Then, as he waited, he saw an automobile draw up in front of the side
entrance, and saw Mr. Wygant step out and enter. The sight was like a
blow in the face to him. There was the proud rich man, defiant and
unpunished, seated in the place of authority; while Samuel, the
Seeker, was turned out of the door!
A blaze of rebellion flamed up in him. No, no--they should not cast
him off! He would fight them--he would fight to the very end. The
church was not their church--it was the church of God! And he had a
right to belong to it--and to speak the truth in it, too!
And so, just after the vestry had got settled to the consideration of
the architect's sketch for the new Nurse's Home, there came a loud
knock upon the door, and Samuel entered, wild-eyed and breathless.
"Gentlemen!" he cried. "I demand a hearing!"
Dr. Vince sprang to his feet in terror. "Samuel Prescott!" he
exclaimed.
"I have been ordered out of the church!" proclaimed Samuel. "And I
will not submit to it! I have spoken the truth, and I will not permit
the evil-doers in St. Matthew's to silence me!"
Mr. Hickman had sprung up.
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