Borne along by an irresistible enthusiasm, he told in glowing terms what his plan would mean to the community, how the people needed a new social and civic spirit--a "neighbourhood religious feeling" he called it.

And as he talked his face flushed, and his eyes shone with the pure fire of a great purpose.

But I could see that all this enthusiasm impressed the practical Mr.Nash as mere moonshine.
He grew more and more uneasy.

Finally he brought his hand down with a resounding thwack upon his knee, and said in a high, cutting voice: "I don't believe in any such newfangled nonsense.

It ain't none of a parson's business what the community does.