Bill was a popular student and knew it. Witty, intelligent, likeable and thoroughly natural, he was the centre of attention wherever he went.

We met because he knew that I held a medical degree as well as being a parson, and he needed help from someone who understood ordinary life in a way he reckoned the parsons didn't.

"I'm a Rationalist," he volunteered, "and have no God but the God of Nature. But I'm in a mess morally, and my God can't help me. Can you possibly help me to find one who can?"

"I'll do my best," I agreed, "but I make no promises! What about meeting me each day in the lunch hour for half an hour, so that we can take our time and discuss the question thoroughly?"